High output cardiac failure is seen in:
**Core Concept**
High output cardiac failure refers to a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is impaired, leading to inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues, despite an increased cardiac output. This is often seen in conditions that increase the demand for cardiac output or reduce peripheral vascular resistance.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
High output cardiac failure is typically seen in conditions that cause a significant increase in cardiac workload, such as anemia, thyrotoxicosis, or arteriovenous fistulae. In these conditions, the heart is forced to pump more blood to meet the increased demand for oxygen and nutrients. The increased cardiac output can lead to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, which in turn can cause a decrease in blood pressure. This can result in high output cardiac failure.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because low output cardiac failure is typically seen in conditions that reduce the heart's ability to pump blood, such as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because right heart failure is typically characterized by low output cardiac failure, not high output.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because high output cardiac failure is not typically associated with increased peripheral vascular resistance.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In high output cardiac failure, the patient may present with signs of increased cardiac workload, such as a wide pulse pressure and a prominent a wave in the jugular venous pulse.
**Correct Answer:** C. Arteriovenous fistulae