Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025

Simultaneous Electrocardiography Recording and Invasive Blood Pressure Measurement in Rats
Published on: January 31, 2019
Invasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring: Are We Confident Making Decisions Based on Reliable Values?
Frédérique Schortgen1, Caroline Le Bec1
1Both authors: Service de Médecine Intensive-Réanimation, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Créteil, France.
Abstract:
A prerequisite for accurate invasive arterial pressure measurement is familiarity with measurement principles and pitfalls. Using an electronic survey, we assessed knowledge about invasive arterial pressure monitoring and current invasive arterial pressure monitoring practices in the ICU. The questionnaire was sent to nurses and physicians who are members of the French Intensive Care Society and the Réseau Européen de Recherche en Ventilation Artificielle network. Three hundred nine nurses and 76 physicians responded. We identified considerable gaps in knowledge and differences in practices that can significantly impact the reliability of invasive arterial pressure measurement, mainly the confusion between zeroing and leveling the transducer and the heterogeneity in external landmarks choice for the phlebostatic axis. In modern critical care, where mean arterial pressure targets are recommended and where patients are awake and/or frequently mobilized, standardized invasive arterial pressure monitoring is required.
Related Concept Videos
Sites for measruring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Several factors...
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.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...

