A mnemonic to differentiate between central and peripheral cyanoses is:
- COLD PALMS
Mnemonic
- C: cold (peripheral)
- O: obstruction (peripheral)
- L: LVF and shock (peripheral)
- D: decreased cardiac output (peripheral)
- P: polycythemia (central)
- A: altitude (central)
- L: lung disease (central)
- M: met-sulfhaemoglobinaemia (central)
- S: shunt (central)