Optimal level of the reference transducer for central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure monitoring in supine, prone, and sitting position

To guarantee accurate measurement of central venous pressure (CVP) or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), proper positioning of a reference transducer is a prerequisite. We investigated ideal transducer levels in supine, prone, and sitting position in adults. Chest computed tomography images of 113 patients, taken in supine or prone position were reviewed. For supine position, distances between the back and the uppermost blood level of both atria and their ratios to the largest anteroposterior (AP) diameter of thorax were calculated. For prone position, same distances and ratios were calculated from the anterior chest. For sitting position, distances between the mid-sternoclavicular joint and the most cephalad blood level of both atria and their ratios to the sternal length were calculated. The ratio of the uppermost blood level of right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA) to the largest AP diameter of thorax was 0.81 ± 0.04 and 0.59 ± 0.03 from the back in supine position. That calculated from the anterior chest in prone position was 0.54 ± 0.03 and 0.46 ± 0.03. The ratio of the most cephalad blood level of RA and LA to the sternal length was 0.70 ± 0.10 and 0.68 ± 0.09 from the mid-sternoclavicular joint in sitting position, which corresponded to the upper border of 4th rib. Optimal CVP transducer levels are at four-fifths of the AP diameter of thorax in supine position, at a half of that in prone position, and at upper border of the 4th sternochondral joint in sitting position. PAOP transducer levels are similar in prone and sitting position, except for supine position which is at three-fifths of the AP diameter of thorax.