03_07_01 CVP monitoring

Central Venous Pressure Monitoring
Session Overview
Description
This session will explain the physiology behind central venous pressure monitoring, the techniques available to measure it and how to use the results to guide therapy at the bedside.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the different methods available for measuring central venous pressure (CVP)
• Draw the central venous waveform and explain its components
• Recognize common abnormalities seen in a central venous waveform
• Utilize CVP monitoring to guide therapy in the critically-ill patient

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should have knowledge of:

• Anatomy and the relation of the central veins to the heart
• Physiology and a knowledge of the cardiac cycle

This session will help you to understand the physiology behind central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring, as well as some practical advice regarding what is actually measured and how it is measured.

Abnormal central venous waveforms will also be explored, looking at why these occur.

It will also describe how you can use CVP monitoring to help guide your next therapeutic manoeuvre with a critically-ill patient.