Arterial & Venous Pressure Monitoring..(Final Part)

The Pre-pump Arterial Blood Pressure…..

This method is not slowly but surely catching up in usage popularity. It uses a different type of arterial bloodline set where the arterial blood pressure line is before the blood pump segment. This method results in the pressure reading in the negative.The cost is the same for the post blood pump arterial bloodline set.

This method detect the negative pressure exerted onto the AVF by the suction action of the blood pump. A higher blood pump speed will result in a higher negative pressure reading. The reading is reflective of the blood pump speed unless the AVF is having problem in supplying the arterial blood, which will result in a much higher figure than the blood pump speed. This is a good indication of the AVF ability in supplying blood. The slightest change can be detected long before any physical indication is detected.

As in the post-pump arterial blood pressure method, the fullness of the “pillow” on the arterial bloodline set or the “jerking” movement of the blood flow into the arterial chamber is used to determine the arterial blood supply. This method is crude and not very reliable as it can only be detect as in extreme situations by then it is too late.

A treatment practitioner with a keen eye would be able to detect impending supply problem way before it happens. It also prevents AVF being pushed beyond its capability thus resulting in its premature failure.

Please do consider using the pre-pump arterial monitoring method if you have not started using it. The benefit outweighs the cost or the hassle for the treatment betterment of the patients...