In a patient with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), which parameters should the nurse expect?

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is characterized by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which can lead to various hemodynamic changes in the body. In such patients, the central venous pressure (CVP) is typically elevated due to the increased pressure in the abdominal cavity affecting venous return to the heart.

A normal CVP range is typically between 2 to 8 mmHg. An elevation above this range suggests that the right atrial pressure is increased, often as a response to the increased intra-abdominal pressure due to IAH. The choice of a CVP value around 8 mmHg aligns with the physiological changes that occur in IAH, indicating an adjustment in hemodynamics due to the elevated pressures.

Values higher than this, such as 10 mmHg or more, could suggest significant hemodynamic compromise, while values lower than 8 mmHg might indicate that the intra-abdominal pressure is not sufficiently elevated to influence the venous return significantly. Thus, a CVP of 8 is reflective of the expected hemodynamic response in a patient with IAH, supporting the hemodynamic changes that clinicians monitor in these situations.