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What is a potential complication of high central venous pressure measurements?

Dehydration

Fluid overload

High central venous pressure (CVP) measurements can indicate an excess of fluid in the circulatory system, which suggests a state of fluid overload. CVP reflects the pressure in the thoracic vena cava near the right atrium of the heart, and elevated levels are often a sign that the body has more fluid than it can effectively handle. This condition can lead to various complications, including pulmonary edema and heart failure, as the heart struggles to manage the increased volume.

In contrast, dehydration would typically present with low CVP measurements because of a reduced blood volume. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is also generally associated with low CVP, as insufficient volume results in reduced pressure within the venous system. Ventricular fibrillation is a serious arrhythmia that could arise from various causes but is not directly connected to changes in CVP. Thus, fluid overload emerges as the most relevant complication associated with elevated central venous pressure readings.

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Hypotension

Ventricular fibrillation

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