Sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in the newborn can cause which form of shock?

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Multiple Choice

Sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in the newborn can cause which form of shock?

Explanation:
Sustained SVT in a neonate primarily undermines the heart’s pumping ability. The very fast rate shortens diastolic filling time, so stroke volume drops and cardiac output falls. The newborn’s heart depends on rate more than on increasing stroke volume, so this tachyarrhythmia leads to pump failure and poor systemic perfusion—characteristic of cardiogenic shock. Hypovolemic shock would come from a loss of intravascular volume, distributive from widespread vasodilation, and obstructive from a blockage to flow (like tamponade or pneumothorax); these aren’t the primary effects of sustained SVT, making cardiogenic shock the best fit.

Sustained SVT in a neonate primarily undermines the heart’s pumping ability. The very fast rate shortens diastolic filling time, so stroke volume drops and cardiac output falls. The newborn’s heart depends on rate more than on increasing stroke volume, so this tachyarrhythmia leads to pump failure and poor systemic perfusion—characteristic of cardiogenic shock.

Hypovolemic shock would come from a loss of intravascular volume, distributive from widespread vasodilation, and obstructive from a blockage to flow (like tamponade or pneumothorax); these aren’t the primary effects of sustained SVT, making cardiogenic shock the best fit.

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