Central venous pressure (CVP) describes the pressure of blood in the thoracic vena cava, near the right atrium of the heart. CVP reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump the blood into the arterial system. It is a good approximation of right atrial pressure, which is a major determinant of right ventricular end diastolic volume (right ventricular preload).
CVP can be measured by connecting the patient's central venous catheter to a special infusion set which is connected to a small diameter water column. If the water column is calibrated properly the height of the column indicates the CVP.
Factors which increase CVP are:
- Hypervolemia
- forced exhalation
- Tension pneumothorax
- Heart failure
- Pleural effusion
- Decreased cardiac output
Factors which decrease CVP are:
- Hypovolemia
- Deep inhalation
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