What condition can lead to right ventricular failure and low cardiac output in post-surgical patients?

Right ventricular failure and low cardiac output in post-surgical patients can arise from several underlying conditions, each contributing to the compromised function of the right ventricle in unique ways.

Preoperative or intraoperative right ventricular infarction is particularly significant, as it occurs when blood supply to the right ventricle is compromised, leading to muscle damage. This can substantially decrease the heart's ability to pump effectively, thus resulting in diminished cardiac output.

Preexisting mitral stenosis is another contributor. Although it primarily impacts the left heart, it can create back pressure that affects the right side, leading to right ventricular overload and potentially resulting in failure post-surgery.

Preexisting pulmonary hypertension also plays a crucial role. It can increase the workload on the right ventricle, necessitating more effort to pump blood through the pulmonary circulation. Over time, this increased workload can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventual failure, especially in a post-surgical context where hemodynamic stability may be further challenged.

Each of these conditions has the potential to individually compromise right ventricular function, especially in the setting of additional surgical stress or changes in hemodynamics, thereby contributing to low cardiac output. Therefore, all these factors collectively point to the conclusion that any of these