Pathophysiology of COPD exacerbation!

[doxorubicin]

65-yr-male with history of COPD brought to emergency room for shortness of breath, fever, yellow sputum and lower extremity edema. Signs: cyanosis, clubbing, bilateral lung wheezes.
Which of the following findings most likely in this patient?
a. normal arterial O2 content
b. normal mixed venous O2 content
c. increased PH of arterial blood
d. decreased pulmonary artery resistance
e. decreased cerebral vascular resistance

answer with reasoning please

[oti nogonno]

I think it should be E) decreased cerebral vascular resistance.
bcoz, in copd decreased diffusion of oxygen leads to increased carbon dioxide, which is a potent vasodialator...
I think it should help u..

[step_enhancer]

its E)

exacerbation of copd with pneumonia (i guess)

he is cyanotic means hypoxia.hypoxia in brain causes vasodilation.

i m not sure with the reasoning.

[Poonam aslam]

Its E...its COPD.. towards chr.bronchitis picture...
So in copd consistnt wid the s/s of ch.bronchitis is resp acidosis along with early onset hypoxemia...
So...co2 retention which is potent cerebral vasodilator...
causes decreased cerebral resistance.

[indigo]

Whats the answer Doxorubicin?

[rose]

it is E and the same explanation as step enhancer

[Dr. Mexito]

The reason is this:

The brain respond to increases of PCO2 or decreased PH with dilatation. Is controlled by local metabolic factors (Systemic control is less important), and CO2 levels is the most important local vasodilator of cerebral circulation. COPD patients have increases levels of PCO2.

(I think I've read the explanation somewhere in BRS, but I think this is a UW question)



Happy new year!!!

[step_enhancer]

Originally Posted by step_enhancer

its E)

exacerbation of copd with pneumonia (i guess)

he is cyanotic means hypoxia.hypoxia in brain causes vasodilation.

i m not sure with the reasoning.

i made a mistake .its co2(pH) that controls autoregulation in brain.

thanks everyone for posting explanations