THE MEASUREMENT OF VENOUS PRESSURE IN MAN ELIMINATING THE HYDROSTATIC FACTOR

Abstract

Venous pressure was detd. in the supine and prone position in 10 normal subjects using the direct method. Venous pressure values obtained using the reference point of Moritz and Tabora and that of Eyster were markedly different from the values obtained using the reference points of von Recklinghausen, Lyons et al., and the method described here. Venous pressure may be measured in the following manner in order to eliminate the hydrostatic factor. The pressure in the antecubital vein is measured by the direct method with the subject in the supine position and the vein well below the center of the body. The subject is turned into the prone position and the pressure measured again with the arm well below the center of the body. All pressures are referred to the level of the spine as zero. The avg. of the 2 pressures equals the venous pressure (hydrostatic pressure eliminated), and the reference point is located at the point in the chest mid-way between the tops of the 2 columns of saline in the 2 pressure measurements. Venous pressure detd. in this manner varies between 7.8 cm. and 14.1 cm. of saline.