Shunt Physiology 03 | CICU Bedside Foundations

In Episode 3 of the CICU Bedside Foundations series, we’re building on cardiac output and single ventricle physiology to talk shunts—and what they mean at the bedside.Rather than simply memorizing different shunt types, this episode introduces a practical framework for understanding why your patient needs a shunt in the first place, where the blood is flowing, what is driving that flow, and what could cause it to change.We discuss common shunt pathways, including the BTT shunt, Sano conduit, and the PDA, and connect the anatomy back to the physiology you see at the bedside.The goal: when you hear, “this patient has a shunt,” you know the next questions to ask.Because understanding why the shunt is there helps you recognize what your patient needs—and what deterioration might look like—before the numbers tell the whole story.🎙️ CICU Bedside FoundationsEpisode 1: Cardiac OutputEpisode 2: Single Ventricle PhysiologyEpisode 3: Shunt PhysiologyNext up: Balancing Qp/Qs