Central Cyanosis – Mnemonic

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Here is a quick mnemonic “CENTRAL CYANOSIS“ to remember about Central Cyanosis

This can be valuable for patients as well as medical doctors, nurses & students doing their clinical rounds. You can also find it very useful for med exams like USMLE, NExT Medical Step 1&2, MBBS, NEET PG, INI-CET, FMGE,MCAT & NCLEX exams

Central Cyanosis : How To Remember Easily ?

  • C – Central cyanosis occurs due to decreased Sao2.
  • E – Extensive pneumonia or pulmonary edema can cause central cyanosis.
  • N – Notably, Chronic pulmonary diseases like emphysema can lead to central cyanosis.
  • T – Telangiectasia and pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae can result in cyanosis.
  • R – Right-to-left shunts in cardiac or pulmonary circulation can cause cyanosis.
  • A – Alveolar hypoventilation contributes to central cyanosis.
  • L – Lung perfusion abnormalities can lead to central cyanosis.
  • C – Cirrhosis can cause cyanosis due to pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae.
  • Y – Yes, Cyanosis can be intensified by increased oxygen extraction during exercise.
  • A – Abnormal hemoglobin species like methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin can cause cyanosis.
  • N – Notably, digital clubbing is not associated with abnormal hemoglobin species.
  • O – Oxygen delivery to the tissues is impaired by these abnormal hemoglobin derivatives.
  • S – Spectroscopy can help identify these rare causes of cyanosis.
  • I – In patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, secondary polycythemia is common.
  • S – Shunting of venous blood into the arterial circuit can reduce Sao2

Mnemonic :  CENTRAL CYANOSIS

Dr. Arin Nandi

Passionate About Medical Science & Helping Future Doctors Achieve Top Ranks In Medical Exams. He is professionally a dentist as well as a public health expert from JIPMER (1), (2)working in health department
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