EFFECT OF POSITIVE END EXPIRATORY PRESSURE ON CENTRAL VENOUS PRESSURE IN PATIENTS UNDER MECHANICAL VENTILATION

A majority of patients who are kept under mechanical ventilation may also require central venous (CV) line insertion for different reasons such as inability to access peripheral vein, blood transfusion, or administration of vasoactive agent.(1) Central venous pressure (CVP) is a good indicator of circulatory volume and cardiac function. The normal range of CVP is 8 - 12 cmH2O. It increases to 12 - 16 cmH2O in patients under mechanical ventilation.(1,2)