Central venous pressure

Abstract

Central venous pressure and venous return are the main physiological determinants of cardiac output. The mean central venous pressure is maintained above the mean intrathoracic pressure throughout normal spontaneous and positive pressure ventilation. The Frank-Starling relationship of muscle fibre length to the force of contraction can sometimes be assessed clinically by comparing changes in CVP with changes in BP. A raised venous pressure indicates poor right ventricular function or an increased pre-load. Collapsed veins may indicate a low venous pressure and hypovolaemia.