Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Differential cyanosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Cyanosis is defined as bluish discoloration of the skin and or mucous membrane resulting from insufficient oxygenation of the blood and the presence of at least 5g/dl unsaturated hemoglobin in tissue. Anemia may lead to hypoxia but is not the cause of cyanosis. Right to left shunt in congenital heart disease causes central cyanosis. Secondary erythrocytosis (increased red blood cell mass due to hypoxia) and polycythemia (neoplastic proliferation of reb blood cell) are different conditions and need different evaluation. Cyanosis may be classified into central cyanosis and peripheral cyanosis.
Classification
Classification
- Cyanosis may be classified into two groups:[1]
- Peripheral cyanosis affecting hands and feet
- Central cyanosis affecting mucous membrane, lips, tongue and sublingual tissue
References
References
- ↑ McMullen, Sarah M.; Patrick, Ward (2013). “Cyanosis”. The American Journal of Medicine. 126 (3): 210–212. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.11.004. ISSN 0002-9343.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Zand, M.D.[2] Amandeep Singh M.D.[3]