Stunned myocardium and intraoperative myocardial infarction are likely to cause what change in PAOP?

In the case of stunned myocardium and intraoperative myocardial infarction, the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) is likely to increase. This is due to the fact that both stunned myocardium and myocardial infarction lead to impaired myocardial contractility. When the heart's ability to contract effectively is compromised, the left ventricle struggles to pump blood, which can result in an elevated volume in the left atrium and subsequently increased pressures in the pulmonary circulation.

As the pressure builds in the pulmonary venous system, it is reflected in the PAOP measurements. Increased PAOP indicates increased left atrial pressure, which often occurs in conditions where there is heart failure or volume overload, and these situations align with the effects of myocardial injury due to stunned myocardium and infarction. Thus, the correct interpretation in such contexts is an increase in PAOP.