Effect of Blood Flow Rate on the Accuracy of Central Venous Pressure Measurement during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The objective of this study was to study the influence of extracorporeal blood flow rate (BFR) on the accuracy of central venous pressure (CVP) measurement during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eligible patients were randomly divided into 3 groups based on the location of catheters used for their CRRT and CVP measurement. CVP levels measured at increased extracorporeal BFR (from 0 to 300 mL/min) in the normal and reverse positions of inlet and outlet lines connected to the CV catheter (CVC) in the course of the CRRT session were collected. <b><i>Results:</i></b> CVP levels measured at different extracorporeal BFRs did not significantly differ between and among the 3 groups. Inversion of inlet and outlet lines connected to the catheters did not affect the accuracy of CVP measurement. BFR had a negative correlation with inflow/access pressure but a positive correlation with outflow/return pressure. Neither inflow pressure nor outflow pressure was correlated with CVP. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Extracorporeal BFR has no influence on the accuracy of CVP measurement during CRRT with the net machine balance adjusted to zero regardless of the location of the catheter and the connection method between catheters and CRRT lines. Thus, CRRT does not need to be discontinued to obtain an accurate CVP measurement.