A patient is post-op for a triple coronary artery bypass graft. In the recovery unit the respiratory therapist notices a steady decrease in SVO2 while SaO2 remains unchanged at 96%. The patient is receiving oxygen by high-flow mask at 40%. Which of the following can be concluded?

A. Oxygen consumption at the tissue level is decreasing.
B. FIO2 is excessive and should be decreased.
C. Cardiac output is reduced.
D. PvO2 is increasing.

Ans: C. Cardiac output is reduced.