Central venous pressure Abrev CVP

Central venous pressure measures the ability of the right heart to accommodate the fluid load presented to it. Normal animals have a central venous pressure of less than 5 cm of water. Assuming there are no clots in the IV catheter, central venous pressures repeatedly above 10 cm of water are indicative of impending onset of edema and fluid overload. Measurement of central venous pressure requires a central catheter (jugular catheter) be in place. CVP readings can be influenced by catheter position and patency.