High Output vs. Low Output Cardiac Failure High Output Cardiac Failure: Characterized by the heart being unable to pump enough blood to meet the body'...
High Output vs. Low Output Cardiac Failure
High Output Cardiac Failure:
Characterized by the heart being unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Causes significant fluid retention and can lead to significant volume overload of the lungs.
May result in hypovolemic shock, which can be life-threatening.
High output cardiac failure is often caused by underlying conditions such as hypercardiac conditions, severe sepsis, or pulmonary edema.
Low Output Cardiac Failure:
Characterized by the heart functioning normally and being able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Causes fluid and electrolyte imbalances, but the overall volume of fluid in the body is not significantly increased.
May still lead to clinical signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock.
Low output cardiac failure is often caused by underlying conditions such as severe bradycardia, pulmonary edema, or myocardial infarction.
Examples:
A patient with severe sepsis and hypercardiac failure may have high output cardiac failure.
A patient with a pulmonary embolism may have low output cardiac failure