Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Contrast-Enhanced Subharmonic Aided Pressure Estimation (SHAPE) Using Ultrasound Imaging with a Focus on Identifying Portal Hypertension
Published on: December 5, 2020
The effect of different reference transducer positions on intra-abdominal pressure measurement: a multicenter
Jan J De Waele1, Inneke De Laet, Bart De Keulenaer
1Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Gent, Belgium. jan.dewaele@UGent.be
Objective:
To investigate the effect of different reference transducer positions on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement. Three reference levels were studied: the symphysis pubis; the phlebostatic axis; and the midaxillary line at the level of the iliac crest.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
The intensive care units of participating hospitals
Patients And Participants:
One hundred thirty-two critically ill patients at risk for intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH).
Interventions:
In each patient, three sets of IAP measurements were obtained in the supine position, using the different reference levels. The IAP measurements obtained at the different reference levels were compared using a paired t-test and Bland-Altman statistics were calculated.
Measurements And Results:
IAP(phlebostatic) (9.9 +/- 4.67 mmHg) and IAP(pubis) (8.4 +/- 4.60 mmHg) were significantly lower that IAP(midax) (12.2 +/- 4.66 mmHg; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The bias between the IAP(midax) and IAP(pubis) was 3.8 mmHg (95% CI 3.5-4.1) and 2.3 mmHg (95% CI 1.9-2.6) between the IAP(midax) and the IAP(phlebostatic). The precision was 3.03 and 3.40, respectively.
Conclusions:
In the supine position, IAP(midax) is higher than both IAP(phlebostatic) and IAP(pubis), differences found to be clinically significant; therefore, the symphysis pubis or phlebostatic axis reference lines are not interchangeable with the midaxillary level.
Related Concept Videos
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
