Decompensated shock is the late stage of shock in which your body's compensatory mechanisms, that maintain blood flow to your vital organs become overwhelmed and are no longer effective.
Decompensated shock causes a significant drop in your blood pressure also called hypotension and other signs of organ dysfunction.
Shock starts with compensated shock, in which your body tries to maintain your blood pressure and organ perfusion, through mechanisms, such as blood vessel constriction and increased heart rate.
But when these mechanisms fail, it then progresses on to decompensated shock.
The hallmark signs of decompensated shock are marked by a drop in your systolic blood pressure that is below 90 mmHg in adults and rapid and shallow breathing, weak or even absent peripheral pulses, cool and clammy skin as well as a decrease in your mental status.
If the decompensated shock is not treated quickly enough, then the decompensated shock can result in organ damage and organ failure due to inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to your body's tissues.
Treatment for decompensated shock addresses the underlying cause of the shock and supporting of functions, that often require advanced life support interventions.