Central Venous Pressure
Venous pressure is a term that represents the average
blood pressure within the venous compartment.
The term "central venous pressure" (CVP) describes
the pressure in the thoracic vena cava near the right
atrium
therefore CVP and right atrial pressure are essentially the
same
Central Venous Pressure
CVP is a major determinant of the filling pressure and
therefore the preload of the right ventricle, which
regulates stroke volume
Central Venous Pressure
Central Venous Pressure
Factors increasing CVP
Raised intrathoracicpressure
•Eg, IPPV, coughing, expiration in spont
ventilation
Circulatory overload; Venoconstriction
Impaired cardiac function
•Eg, outlet obstruction, cardiac failure, cardiac
tamponade
Superior vena cava obstruction
CVP monitoring
In CVP monitoring, a catheter is inserted
through a vein and advanced until its tip lies in
or near the right atrium
Because no major valves lie at the junction of
the vena cava and right atrium, pressure at
end diastole reflects back to the catheter
CVP monitoring
When connected to a manometer, the catheter
measures central venous pressure (CVP), an index of
right ventricular function
CVP monitoring helps to assess cardiac function, to
evaluate venous return to the heart, and to indirectly
gauge how well the heart is pumping
The phlebostaticaxis is the reference point for zeroing
the hemodynamic monitoring device. This reference
point is important because it helps to ensure the
accuracy of the various pressure readings.
4th intercostal space, mid-axillary line
Level of the atria
Central venous
catheterisation
Central venous
catheterisation
CVP monitoring
CVP monitoring
CVP waves
Waveform Phase of cardiac
cycle
Mechanism
awave End diastole Atrial contraction
cwave Early systole Isometric ventricular contraction;
Tricuspid motion towards RA
xdescent Mid systole Atrial relaxation; descent of base
vwave Late systole Systolic filling of atrium
ydescent Early diastole Early ventricular filling
hwave Mid-to late diastole Diastolic plateau
CVP waves
CVP waves
CVP abnormalities
Condition Characteristics
Atrial fibrillation Loss of awave
Prominent c wave
AV dissociation Cannon a wave
Tricuspid regurgitationTall systolic c-v wave
Loss of x descent
Tricuspid stenosis Tall a wave
Attenuation of y descent
Pericardial constriction Tall a and v waves; Steep x and y descents M
or W configuration
Cardiac tamponade Dominant x descent
Attenuated y descent
Respiratory variationsMeasure pressure at end-expiration
CVP –Atrial fibrillation
absence of the a wave
prominent c wave
preserved v wave and y
descent
CVP –AV dissociation
Early systolic Cannon a
wave
Retrograde conduction of the nodal impulse throughout the atrium
causes atrial contraction to occur during ventricular systole while the
tricuspid valve is closed
CVP –Tricuspid regurgitation
Tall systolic c-v wave
Loss of x descent
In this example, the a wave is not seen because of atrial fibrillation
CVP –Tricuspid stenosis
End-diastolic awave is
prominent
Diastolic y descent is
attenuated
Tricuspid stenosis increases mean CVP
CVP & Intrathoracicpressure
CVP measurement is influenced by
changes in intrathoracicpressure.
It fluctuates with respiration.
Decreases in spontaneous
inspiration.
Increases in positive pressure
ventilation.
CVP & Intrathoracicpressure
CVP should be taken at the end expiration.
PEEP applied to the airway at the end of exhalation,
may be partially transmitted to the intrathoracic
structures ►measured CVP will be higher.
CVP as hemodynamic
monitor
CVP & PEEP
PA catheterisation
The pulmonary artery (PA) catheter (or Swan-Ganz
catheter) was introduced into routine practice in
operating rooms and intensive care units in the 1970s
The catheter provides measurements of both CO and
PA occlusion pressures and was used to guide
hemodynamic therapy, especially when patients
became unstable
PA catheterisation
The pulmonary artery (PA) catheter (or Swan-Ganz
catheter) was introduced into routine practice in
operating rooms and intensive care units in the 1970s
The catheter provides measurements of both CO and
PA occlusion pressures and was used to guide
hemodynamic therapy, especially when patients
became unstable
Perioperative intensive care; Cardiac anesthesia
PA catheter
PA catheter can be used to
guide goal-directed
hemodynamic therapy to
ensure organ perfusion in
shock states
7 -9 FR catheter
4 lumens
110-cm long
Polyvinylchloride body
Pressure guidance is used to ascertain the localization of
the PA catheter in the venous circulation and the heart
Upon entry into the right atrium, the central venous pressure
tracing is noted
Passing through the tricuspid valve right ventricular
pressures are detected
Higher systolic pressure than
seen in the right atrium,
although the end-diastolic
pressures are equal
At 35 to 50 cm depending upon patient size, the catheter will
pass from the right ventricle through the pulmonic valve into
the pulmonary artery
Adiastolic step-up compared
with ventricular pressure
When indicated the balloon-tipped catheter will wedge or
occlude a pulmonary artery branch.
Similar morphology to right atrial pressure, although the a-c and v
waves appear later in the cardiac cycle relative to ECG
PA pressure equilibrates with that of the left atrium which,
barring any mitral valve pathology, should be a reflection of
left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
From a right internal jugular vein puncture site, the right atrium
should be reached when the PAC is inserted 20 to 25 cm, the right
ventricle at 30 to 35 cm, the pulmonary artery at 40 to 45 cm, and the
wedge position at 45 to 55 cm.
0
30
0
120
PAWP a-c and v waves appear to occur later in the cardiac cycle
compared with CVP trace
PA catheter: Uses
There is no consensus on standards for PA catheter
use
PA catheters should only be used when a specific
clinical question regarding a patient’s hemodynamic
status can not be satisfactorily investigated by clinical
or noninvasive assessments
….when the clinician is in need of knowing an in-depth
and continuous assessment of hemodynamics in order
to properly guide changes in the management of a
patient
PA catheter: Measurements
ParameterNormal range Relevance
CVP 0-6mmHg Volume status & RV function;
correlates with RVEDP
RVP 20-30 / 0-6mmHg RV function and volume
PAP 20-30 / 6-10 mmHg State of PVR and RV function
PAWP 4-12mmHg LV function; correlates with LVEDP
Stroke vol.60-80ml
SV index 33-47ml/beat/m
2
SV adjusted to body surface area
(BSA)
PA catheter: Measurements
Parameter Normal range
Cardiac Output 4 –8 L/min
Cardiac Index 2.5 –4 L/min/m
2
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance 20-120 dynes/sec/cm
5
SystemicVascular Resistance 750-1500 dynes/sec/cm
5
RV stroke work
LV stroke work
SvO
2(Mixed Venous O
2
saturation)
60 -75%