A 59-year-old male has undergone successful CABG with 4 grafts constructed but remains in low cardiac output (< 2L/min/m2) postoperatively. The following is/are true:
A. An inotropic drug should be used initially to increase cardiac output
B. If low cardiac output persists despite optimal physiological and pharmacological support, a balloon pump (IABP) should be inserted
C. Decreased cardiac filling pressures suggest the possibility of cardiac tamponade
D. When IABP is used, the balloon is inflated during diastole
Answer:B
A 59-year-old male has undergone successful CABG with 4 grafts constructed but remains in low cardiac output (< 2L/min/m2) postoperatively. The following is/are true:
A. An inotropic drug should be used initially to increase cardiac output B. If low cardiac output persists despite optimal physiological and pharmacological support, a balloon pump (IABP) should be inserted C. Decreased cardiac filling pressures suggest the possibility of cardiac tamponade D. When IABP is used, the balloon is inflated during diastole