Measurement of Central Venous Pressure

Abstract

Central venous pressure (CVP) was measured in 142 patients with massivegastroduo denal haemorrhage. The normal range was found to be 55-135 mm H₂O using the mid-axillary line as the reference level. In 53 patients, a decreased CVP gave an earlier indication of hypovolaemia than did changes in arterial blood pressure (ABP) or pulse rate (PR).

In 32 patients an elevated CVP was the only sign indicating impending over-transfusion. There was no case of pulmonary congestion when the CVP was within the normal range.

CVP measurements were used as a safeguard against circulatory overloading during blood transfusion treatment of anaemic patients, making such therapy feasible even in patients with an elevated CVP. CVP measurements made it possible to estimate the rate of bleeding. Haemorrhage from a major artery was characterized by a bleeding rate of more than 600 ml per hour and/or a sudden decrease in CVP.

Key-words:

• Hemorrhage
• peptic ulcer hemorrhage
• shock, hemorrhagic