Hemodynamics Monitoring
Hemodynamics Monitoring
Hemodynamics Monitoring
INTRODUCTION
Critically ill patients require continuos assessment of their cardiovascular system to diagnose and
manage their complex medical conditions.This is most commonly achieved by the use of direct
pressure monitoring systems,often refered to as hemodynamic monitoring.Heart function is the
main focus of hemodynamic studies. Hemodynamic pressure monitoring provides information
about blood volume , fluid balance and how well the heart is pumping. Nurses are responsible for
the collection measurement and interpretation of these dynamic patient status parameters.
HEMODYNAMICS
Hemodynamics are the forces which circulate blood through the body. Specifically,
hemodynamics is the term used to describe the intravascular pressure and flow that occurs when
the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood throughout the body.
DEFINITION
Hemodynamic monitoring refers to measurement of pressure, flow and oxygenation of blood
within the cardiovascular system.
OR
Using invasive technology to provide quantitative information about vascular capacity, blood
volume, pump effectiveness and tissue perfusion.
OR
Hemodynamic monitoring is the measurement and interpretation of biological systems that
describes the performance of cardiovascular system.
PURPOSES
Early detection, identification and treatment of life threatening conditions such as heart failure
and cardiac tamponade.
Evaluate the patient’s immediate response to treatment such as drugs and mechanical support.
Evaluate the effectiveness of cardiovascular function such as cardiac output and index.
INDICATIONS
Any deficits or loss of cardiac function: such as myocardial infarction, congestive heart
failure, cardiomyopathy.
All types of shock; cardiogenic shock, neurogenic shock or anaphylactic shock.
Decreased urine output from dehydration, hemorrhage. G.I bleed, burns or surgery.
A flush system composed of intravenous solution,tubing stop cocks and a flush device which
provides for continous and manual flushing of system.
A pressure bag placed around the flush solution that is maintained at 300 mmhg pressure ;the
pressurized flush system delivers 3-5ml of solution per hour through the catheter to prevent
clotting and backflow of blood into the pressure monitoring system.
A tranducer to convert the pressure coming from artery or heart chamber into an electrical
signal
An amplifier or moniter which increases the size of electrical signal for display on an
occilloscope.
On the monitor , press “change screen” button , then select “swan ganz” to allow
physician to view catheter wave forms which inserting.
Assist physician in sterile draping and sterile setup for swan insertion.
Setup pressure lines and transducers. Level pressure flush monitoring system and
transducers to the phlebostatic axis.
Connect tubings to patient when patient is ready to flush the swann.
While floating the swann, observe for ventricular ectopy on the monitor.
After swann is in place, assist with cleanup and let patient know procedure is
complete.
Obtain all the values. For cardiac output inject 10mls of D5w after pushing the start
button.
Perform hemocalculations.
Document findings in ICU flow sheet.
LIMITATIONS
Cuff must be placed correctly and must be appropriately sized
Auscultatory method is very inaccurate (Korotkoff sound is difficult to hear)
Significant underestimation in low flow (shock)
Oscillometric also mostly in accurate ( >5mmhg off directly recorded pressures)
COMPLICATIONS
Local destruction with distal ischemia
external hemorrhage
massive ecchymosis
dissection
air embolism
blood loss
pain
arteriospasm and
infection.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Before insertion of a catheter, the site is prepared by shaving if necessary and by
cleansing with an antiseptic solution. A local anesthetic may be used.
Once the arterial catheter is inserted, it is secured and a dry, sterile dressing is applied.
The site is inspected daily for signs of infection. The dressing and pressure monitoring
system or water manometer are changed according to hospital policy.
In general, the dressing is to be kept dry and air occlusive.
Dressing changes are performed with the use of sterile technique.
PROCEDURE
Before insertion of a CVP catheter, the site is prepared by shaving if necessary and by
cleansing with an antiseptic solution.
A local anesthetic may be used. The physician threads a single lumen or multilumen
catheter through the external jugular, antecubital, or femoral vein into the vena cava just above
or within the right atrium
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Once the CVP catheter is inserted, it is secured and a dry, sterile dressing is applied.
Catheter placement is confirmed by a chest x-ray, and the site is inspected daily for
signs of infection. The dressing and pressure monitoring system or water manometer are changed
according to hospital policy.
In general, the dressing is to be kept dry and air occlusive.
Dressing changes are performed with the use of sterile technique.
CVP catheters can be used for infusing intravenous fluids, administering intravenous
medications, and drawing blood specimens in addition to monitoring pressure.
To measure the CVP, the transducer (when a pressure monitoring system is used) or
the zero mark on the manometer (when a water manometer is used) must be placed at a standard
reference point, called the phlebostatic axis .
After locating this position, the nurse may make an ink mark on the chest
INSERTION OF PAC
PA monitoring must be carried out in a critical care unit under careful scrutiny of an
experienced nursing staff.
Before insertion of the catheter , explain to the client that;
The procedure may be uncomfortable but not painful.
A local anesthetic will be given at the catheter insertion site. Support of the critically ill
client at this time helps promote cooperation and lessen anxiety. Procedure
This procedure can be performed in the operating room or cardiac catheterization
laboratory or at the bedside in the critical care unit.Catheters vary in their number of lumens and
their types of measurement (eg, cardiac output, oxygen saturation) or pacing capabilities.
All types require that a balloon-tipped, flowdirected catheter be inserted into a large
vein (usually the subclavian, jugular, or femoral vein); the catheter is then passed into the vena
cava and right atrium.
In the right atrium, the balloon tip is inflated, and the catheter is carried rapidly by the
flow of blood through the tricuspid valve, into the right ventricle, through the pulmonic valve,
and into a branch of the pulmonary artery.
(During insertion of the pulmonary artery catheter, the bedside monitor is observed for
waveform andECG changes as the catheter is movedthrough the heart chambers on the right side
and into the pulmonary Artery)
When the catheter reaches a small pulmonary artery, the balloon is deflated and the
catheter is secured with sutures.
Fluoroscopy may be used during insertion to visualize the progression of the catheter
through the heart chambers to the pulmonary artery.
After the catheter is correctly positioned, the following pressures can be measured:
CVP or right atrial pressure
pulmonary artery systolic and
diastolic pressures, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary artery wedge
pressure).
NORMAL RESULTS
Normal pulmonary artery pressure is 25/9 mm Hg, with a mean pressure of 15 mm Hg.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Catheter site care is essentially the same as for a CVP catheter. As in measuring CVP,
the transducer must be positioned at the phlebostatic axis to ensure accurate readings .
The nurse who obtains the wedge reading ensures that the catheter has returned to its
normal position in the pulmonary artery by evaluating the pulmonary artery pressure waveform.
The pulmonary artery diastolic reading and the wedge pressure reflect the pressure in
the ventricle at enddiastole and are particularly important to monitor in critically ill patients,
because they are used to evaluate left ventricular filling pressures (preload)
At end-diastole, when the mitral valve is open, the wedge pressure is the same as the
pressure in the left atrium and the left ventricle, unless the patient has mitral valve disease or
pulmonary hypertension.
Critically ill patients usually require higher left ventricular filling pressures to optimize cardiac
output. These patients may need to have their wedge pressure maintained as high as 18 mm Hg.
COMPLICATIONS
Infection
pulmonary artery rupture
pulmonary thromboembolism
pulmonary infarction
catheter kinking,
dysrhythmias, and
air embolism.
NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
Site Care and Catheter Safety:
A sterile dressing is placed over the insertion site and the catheter is taped in place. The
insertion site should be assessed for infection and the dressing changed every 72 hours and prn.
The placement of the catheter, stated in centimeters, should be documented and assessed every
shift.
The integrity of the sterile sleeve must be maintained so the catheter can be advanced or pulled
back without contamination.
The catheter tubing should be labeled and all the connections secure. The balloon should
always be deflated and the syringe closed and locked unless you are taking a PCWP
measurement
Patient Activity and Positioning:
Many physicians allow stable patients who have PA catheters, such as post CABG patients, to
getout of bed and sit. The nurse must position the patient in a manner that avoids dislodging the
catheter.
Proper positioning during hemodynamic readings will ensure accuracy.
Dysrhythmia Prevention:
Continuous EKG monitoring is essential while the PA catheter is in place.
Do not advance the catheter unless the balloon is inflated.
Antiarrhythmic medications should be readily available to treat lethal dysrhythmias.
Monitoring Waveforms for Proper Catheter Placement:
The nurse must be vigilant in assessing the patient for proper catheter placement. If the PA
waveform suddenly looks like the RV or PCWP waveform, the catheter may have become
misplaced. The nurse must implement the proper procedures for correcting the situation.
Pulmonary artery rupture - perforation during placement, overinflation of the balloon, overuse
of the balloon.
Pulmonary infarction - caused by the catheter migrating into the wedge position, the balloon
left inflated, or thrombus formation around the catheter which causes an occlusion.
CONCLUSION
Hemodynamics is the forces involved in blood circulation. Hemodynamic monitoring started
with the estimation of heart rate using the simple skill of 'finger on the pulse' and then moved on
to more and more sophisticated techniques like stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, ECG etc. The
status of critically ill patients can be assessed either from non-invasive single parameter
indicators or various invasive techniques that provide multi parameter hemodynamic
measurements. As a result, comprehensive data can be provided for the clinician to proactively
address hemodynamic crisis and safely manage the patient instead of reacting to late indicators
of hemodynamic instability
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brunner & Suddhart’s Textbook of Medical Surgical Nursing, vol 2, 12th ed, 2010: pp 2161 –
2163
Colmer ; Moroney’s Surgery for Nurses, 16th ed, 1981 : pp 98 – 106
Howard, Steinmann, Sheehy’s emergency nursing principles & practice, 6th ed, 2003 pp
Thygerson, Gulli & Krohmer, First Aid, 5th ed, 2006 : pp 23 – 27
wikipediahttp://europepmc.org/abstract/CHILD/6517266
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