The patient with hemodynamic values CO 2.5, CVP 1, SVR 400 is most consistent with which type of shock?

• A. Septic shock
• B. Cardiogenic shock
• C. Hemorrhagic shock
• D. Obstructive shock

Answer: (B)

This question is testing how changes in heart function, preload, and afterload manifest in different shock states. In cardiogenic shock, the heart’s pumping ability is so impaired that forward blood flow drops, so cardiac output falls. To try to maintain blood pressure and organ perfusion, the body constricts systemic vessels, raising systemic vascular resistance (afterload). At the same time the failing heart often causes venous back-up, leading to higher filling pressures. So the characteristic pattern is low cardiac output with compensatory increased afterload and signs of venous congestion. That combination fits cardiogenic shock best, because septic shock typically shows decreased afterload due to vasodilation (low SVR) with normal or high CO early on, hemorrhagic shock shows low preload with low filling pressures and a strong vasoconstrictive response, and obstructive shock involves an obstacle to flow with high filling pressures.