Cardiorespiratory monitoring
Arterial blood pressure (ABP)
Measured via an intra-arterial cannula which allows continuous
monitoring of the patient’s blood pressure and also provides an access
for arterial blood sampling and blood gas analysis.
Normal value: 95/60–140/90 mmHg
Hypertension: >145/95 mmHg
Hypotension: <90/60 mmHg
Cardiac output (CO)
Amount of blood pumped into the aorta each minute.
CO= HR x SV
Normal value: 4–8 L/min
Cardiac index (CI)
Cardiac output related to body size. Body surface area is calculated by
using the patient’s weight and height and a nomogram. Allows reliable
comparison between patients of different sizes.
CI= CO body/ surface area
Normal value: 2.5–4 L/min/m2
Central venous pressure (CVP)
Measured via a central venous cannula inserted into the internal or
external jugular vein or subclavian vein with the tip resting close to the
right atrium within the superior vena cava. Provides information on
circulating blood volume, the effectiveness of the heart to pump that
volume, vascular tone and venous return.
Normal value: 3–15 cmH2O
Arterial blood pressure (ABP)
Measured via an intra-arterial cannula which allows continuous
monitoring of the patient’s blood pressure and also provides an access
for arterial blood sampling and blood gas analysis.
Normal value: 95/60–140/90 mmHg
Hypertension: >145/95 mmHg
Hypotension: <90/60 mmHg
Cardiac output (CO)
Amount of blood pumped into the aorta each minute.
CO= HR x SV
Normal value: 4–8 L/min
Cardiac index (CI)
Cardiac output related to body size. Body surface area is calculated by
using the patient’s weight and height and a nomogram. Allows reliable
comparison between patients of different sizes.
CI= CO body/ surface area
Normal value: 2.5–4 L/min/m2
Central venous pressure (CVP)
Measured via a central venous cannula inserted into the internal or
external jugular vein or subclavian vein with the tip resting close to the
right atrium within the superior vena cava. Provides information on
circulating blood volume, the effectiveness of the heart to pump that
volume, vascular tone and venous return.
Normal value: 3–15 cmH2O
