Central venous pressure monitors what?

Central venous pressure monitors what?

• A. Left ventricular preload
• B. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
• C. Systemic vascular resistance
• D. Right ventricular preload and reflects fluid volume status

Answer: (D)

Central venous pressure measures the pressure in the right atrium, reflecting right-sided preload and overall venous return to the heart. It helps gauge how much blood is returning to the heart and how well the right heart is filling, which relates to fluid volume status. It does not tell you about left ventricular preload; that’s assessed by pressures that reflect the left side, such as the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, which estimates left atrial pressure. Systemic vascular resistance is determined from arterial pressure and cardiac output, not CVP. So, CVP best monitors right ventricular preload and fluid status, with readings rising in volume overload or RV dysfunction and falling with hypovolemia.

Central venous pressure measures the pressure in the right atrium, reflecting right-sided preload and overall venous return to the heart. It helps gauge how much blood is returning to the heart and how well the right heart is filling, which relates to fluid volume status. It does not tell you about left ventricular preload; that’s assessed by pressures that reflect the left side, such as the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, which estimates left atrial pressure. Systemic vascular resistance is determined from arterial pressure and cardiac output, not CVP. So, CVP best monitors right ventricular preload and fluid status, with readings rising in volume overload or RV dysfunction and falling with hypovolemia.