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Chapter 16 - Multiple organ failure
from Section II: - Systemic disorders and management
- By Zahid Khan
Edited by Fang Gao Smith, University of Warwick
Edited in association with Joyce Yeung
Book:

Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine

Published online:

06 July 2010

Print publication:

22 April 2010, pp 108-115
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Summary

This chapter focuses on invasive blood pressure monitoring, and components of the invasive blood pressure monitoring system. It explains the complications of invasive blood pressure monitoring, central venous pressure monitoring and cardiac output monitoring. Central venous pressure monitoring measures pressure in the great veins of the thorax usually the superior vena cava and the right atrium. It involves introducing a catheter into a vein so that the tip of the catheter lies at the junction of the superior vena cava and the right atrium. Haemodynamic monitoring is most informative when it is used to supplement clinical judgement. Clinical parameters may be used to determine cardiac output. Poor cerebral perfusion leads to agitation and confusion. A reduction in renal perfusion leads to decreased urine output and subsequently to anuria. Skin perfusion is a clinically useful sign and can be determined using the capillary refill time.