Cardiopulmonary Physiology & Pathophysiology Flashcards
7 cards from real CCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiopulmonary Physiology & Pathophysiology flashcards as text
Which statement best describes the Frank-Starling mechanism as it applies to perfusion management?
Answer: Stroke volume increases with preload up to a point, then plateaus or declines in a failing heart
The Frank-Starling mechanism states that stroke volume increases with preload within physiologic limits, but a failing ventricle may not augment output with further volume loading.
A patient on bypass develops a sudden decrease in mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). Which is the LEAST likely cause?
Answer: Increased arterial oxygen content from higher FiO2
Increased arterial oxygen content (from higher FiO2) would improve SvO2, not decrease it; the other options all reduce oxygen delivery or increase consumption.
What is the clinical importance of V/Q mismatch in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing cardiac surgery?
Answer: Areas of low V/Q act as shunt, increasing PaCO2 and decreasing PaO2
Low V/Q regions in COPD act like shunt units, allowing deoxygenated blood to pass without gas exchange, raising PaCO2 and lowering PaO2.
During hypothermic bypass at 28°C, a perfusionist checks blood gases using the alpha-stat strategy. What is the primary goal of this approach?
Answer: Maintain pH at 7.40 and PaCO2 at 40 mmHg when measured at 37°C regardless of patient temperature
Alpha-stat management maintains pH 7.40 and PaCO2 40 mmHg when measured at 37°C (in vitro), allowing physiologic changes to occur naturally with hypothermia.
Which cardiac lesion creates the greatest risk of paradoxical embolism during cardiac surgery?
Answer: Patent foramen ovale allowing right-to-left shunting
A patent foramen ovale allows venous emboli (air or thrombus) to cross from the right to left atrium and enter the systemic circulation.
In a patient with pulmonary hypertension, which intraoperative maneuver would most effectively reduce right ventricular afterload?
Answer: Administering inhaled nitric oxide to selectively dilate pulmonary vasculature
Inhaled nitric oxide selectively dilates pulmonary vasculature, reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular afterload without causing systemic hypotension.
What does a widened arteriovenous oxygen content difference (CaO2 - CvO2) indicate during cardiopulmonary bypass?
Answer: Inadequate oxygen delivery relative to tissue oxygen consumption
A widened a-vO2 difference indicates tissues are extracting more oxygen than normal, suggesting oxygen delivery is insufficient relative to metabolic demand.