Cyanosis Flashcards
1
Q
What is cyanosis characterised by?
A
Bluish discolouration of the skin or mucous membranes
2
Q
What is the difference between central and peripheral cyanosis?
A
Central cyanosis is due to arterial desaturation, peripheral cyanosis occurs when there’s increased oxygen uptake in the peripheries
3
Q
Name a cause of peripheral cyanosis
A
- Low cardiac output
- Venous stasis
- Exposure to extreme cold causing vasoconstrictions
4
Q
Name 2 causes of central cyanosis
A
- Impaired gas exchange secondary to pneumonia
- Embolism and ventilation perfusion mismatch
- Impaired gas diffusion at the alveoli
- High altitude
- Anatomic shunts
- Right to left shunt in congenital heart disease
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Intrapulmonary shunt
- Conditions causing abnormal Hb i.e. methemoglobinemia
