What physiological condition is primarily characterized by low cardiac output and high systemic vascular resistance?

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The physiological condition characterized by low cardiac output and high systemic vascular resistance is typically associated with cardiogenic shock. In this condition, the heart fails to pump effectively, leading to insufficient blood flow to meet the body's demands. This results in low cardiac output. High systemic vascular resistance occurs as the body attempts to compensate for the decreased perfusion by constricting blood vessels to maintain blood pressure, which is commonly seen in conditions leading to cardiogenic shock.

While hypovolemic shock involves low blood volume leading to reduced cardiac output, it typically does not present with high systemic vascular resistance unless there are compensatory mechanisms at play. Septic shock, on the other hand, features low systemic vascular resistance due to widespread vasodilation from infection-induced inflammation. Anaphylactic shock similarly presents with low systemic vascular resistance caused by massive release of histamine leading to vasodilation.

In summary, the combination of low cardiac output and high systemic vascular resistance aligns most closely with cardiogenic shock, making it the most accurate response to describe the physiological condition in question.

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