ACCURACY OF CENTRAL VENOUS-PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS IN THE INFERIOR VENA-CAVA IN THE VENTILATED CHILD

We compared central venous pressure measurements from three sites, sup erior vena cava, inferior vena cava and right atrium, in 12 children u ndergoing cardiac catheterization whilst on assisted ventilation. Ther e was no significant difference between the mean pressures in the supe rior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. Furthermore, there was also no difference between the mean pressures in the inferior vena cava an d the right atrium. Because of the greater safety of the placement of pressure monitoring lines in the inferior vena cava via the femoral ve in, this approach should be the preferred route for central venous pre ssure monitoring in children.