Acute adrenocortical insufficiency

Acute adrenocortical insufficiency, commonly referred to as an adrenal crisis, is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by an abrupt and profound deficiency of glucocorticoids, with or without mineralocorticoid deficiency This condition affects the endocrine and cardiovascular systems across all age groups and frequently arises when patients with preexisting chronic adrenal insufficiency face physiological stress—such as infection, trauma, surgery, or abrupt cessation of steroid therapy—or...

Acute adrenocortical insufficiency, commonly referred to as an adrenal crisis, is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by an abrupt and profound deficiency of glucocorticoids, with or without mineralocorticoid deficiency

This condition affects the endocrine and cardiovascular systems across all age groups and frequently arises when patients with preexisting chronic adrenal insufficiency face physiological stress—such as infection, trauma, surgery, or abrupt cessation of steroid therapy—or experience acute bilateral adrenal destruction

Pathophysiologically, the severe lack of cortisol impairs vascular tone, endothelial integrity, and glucose regulation, leading to hallmark manifestations of refractory hypotension, circulatory collapse, hypovolemic shock, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and altered mental status

Pathophysiologically, the severe lack of cortisol impairs vascular tone, endothelial integrity, and glucose regulation, leading to hallmark manifestations of refractory hypotension, circulatory collapse, hypovolemic shock, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and altered mental status