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Cyanosis (central)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Central cyanosis only occurs when the oxygen saturation of arterial blood is less than 85%. Causes include:

  • decreased PO2 of inspired air - high altitude
  • hypoventilation
  • parenchymal lung disease - massive pulmonary embolism, chronic airflow limitation with cor pulmonale
  • right to left cardiac shunt - congenital cyanotic heart disease

Central cyanosis may be simulated by methaemoglobulinaemia and sulphaemoglobulinaemia. Also, a patient with polycythaemia may present with central cyanosis.

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