Prolonged CRT (>2 seconds) during anesthesia is most often associated with which condition?

Prolonged CRT (>2 seconds) during anesthesia is most often associated with which condition?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Hypertension
• C. Arrhythmia
• D. Hypoglycemia

Answer: (A)

Capillary refill time is a quick sign of peripheral perfusion. When blood pressure and cardiac output drop, blood flow to the skin is reduced, so the capillary refill takes longer to return to color after pressure is released. In the operating room, prolonged refill time most often points to hypotension from anesthesia—vasodilation, fluid loss, or other factors that lower systemic pressures. Hypertension wouldn’t typically cause a delayed refill, and while arrhythmias can impair perfusion, the scenario most commonly linked with a slow refill during anesthesia is low blood pressure. Hypoglycemia affects metabolism and neurologic function more than peripheral capillary refill.

Capillary refill time is a quick sign of peripheral perfusion. When blood pressure and cardiac output drop, blood flow to the skin is reduced, so the capillary refill takes longer to return to color after pressure is released. In the operating room, prolonged refill time most often points to hypotension from anesthesia—vasodilation, fluid loss, or other factors that lower systemic pressures. Hypertension wouldn’t typically cause a delayed refill, and while arrhythmias can impair perfusion, the scenario most commonly linked with a slow refill during anesthesia is low blood pressure. Hypoglycemia affects metabolism and neurologic function more than peripheral capillary refill.