This is the pressure recorded from the right atrium or superior vena cava
It is representative of the filling pressure of the right side of the heart
Normal is 8- 12 mmHg in a spontaneously breathing non-ventilated patient
recorded at the end of expiration
It is made up of many different waves:
a = atrial contraction (dominant in pulmonary HTN, TS, PS)
c = closing and bulging of the tricuspid valve (cannon in heart block)
x = atrial relaxation (absent in AF, exaggerated in tamponade)
v = passive filling of atrium (dominant in TR)
y = opening of the tricuspid valve (sharp in severe TR, constrictive pericarditis. Slow in TR)
Raised CVP
Fluid overload (although there is a poor relationship)
High PEEP settings (PEEP of 10cm H20 = CVP increase 3cm H20)
Right ventricular failure
Tricuspid stenosis or regurgitation
Pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis
Superior vena caval obstruction
References
http://lifeinthefastlane.com/ccc/cvp-measurement/
Oxford Handbook of Critical Care
