When reading the CVP via a monitor. First you need to zero the transducer, to set it to atmospheric pressure. On our monitors it says "offset to, lets say, 5mmHg". My question is, when you eventually record the actual CVP do you take the zeroing reading into consderation? Or is the value on the monitor the value you record?
For example:
When zeroing, the transducer is offset to 5mmHg. The monitor then records 10mmHg as the CVP. Is the CVP 10mmHg or do you use the offset value. So that the CVP is actually 5mmHg.
Also what are the lowest levels a CVP could record. I.e could it record minus levels?
CVP measures cetral venous pressure. This measurement is taken in the RA and indicates the fluid volume status of the pt.
CVP measures the right atrial pressure but is not always a measurement of volume status. It is a surrogate for volume status but there are several conditions (tamponade, tricuspid disease etc) where an elevated CVP does not indicate adequate intravascular volume. Interpret all values with caution and context.
TakeBack
203 Posts
CVP measures the right atrial pressure but is not always a measurement of volume status. It is a surrogate for volume status but there are several conditions (tamponade, tricuspid disease etc) where an elevated CVP does not indicate adequate intravascular volume. Interpret all values with caution and context.