Describing hemodynamic states: a plea for systematic terminology

A clear and systematic terminological framework is essential for exactly describing a patient’s hemodynamic state. After assessing absolute values of hemodynamic variables and considering the specific clinical context, the absolute values should be classified as ‘normal’, ‘higher than normal’, or ‘lower than normal’ – or as being ‘inside the target range’ or ‘outside the target range’. The acuity and dynamics of changes in the hemodynamic variables should be described. The alterations should then be assigned semiological names reflecting the corresponding ‘clinical sign’. Finally, it should be determined whether the alteration in the hemodynamic variable results in a state of acute circulatory failure or shock.