title: Non-invasive evaluation of central venous pressure by echocardiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central venous pressure (CVP) is an important hemodynamic parameter, reflecting the patient's volume status. Although some studies of non-invasive evaluation of CVP by echocardiography exist, an exact quantitative method has not been described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analyzing several echocardiographic variables, the authors present an equation to calculate CVP with good statistical correlation with CVP measured invasively.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 45 patients, 32 undergoing mechanical ventilation, 32 in sinus rhythm and 13 with atrial fibrillation. Patients underwent simultaneous CVP measurement and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Statistical analysis was performed using bivariate correlation and analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several echocardiographic parameters measured showed a good correlation with the measured CVP. Standardized coefficients were applied to them and an equation to calculate CVP was obtained (tricuspid E decelaration) x 0.11 + (RU/RA gradient) x 0.16 - (IVC variation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new method seems reliable to evaluate non-invasively a hemodynamic parameter that until now has only been measured approximately by this approach.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Lisboa. susan.mar@mail.telepac.pt
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marcelino
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marum
authors.forename: Joaquim Palmeiro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D016280:Atrial Function, Right / Q000502:physiology; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D003422:Critical Care; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*