Minerva cardioangiologica
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Minerva cardioangiologica · Oct 1993
[Non-invasive evaluation of central venous pressure derived from respiratory variations in the diameter of the inferior vena cava].
To evaluate non invasive means of estimating central venous pressure, the respiratory motion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) was analysed by echocardiography in 65 patients. The caval index was measured in subcostal views within 2 cm of the right atrium origin of IVC. Parameters were correlated with simultaneous measured central venous pressure (CVP) by catheter positioned in the internal jugular vein. ⋯ Caval index was inversely related to mean CVP. A caval index > or = 20% indicate normal CVP, a caval index < 20% is related to an elevated value of CVP. This method appears to be useful for noninvasive estimation of mean CVP.