Effect of Different Reference Points on Intra-abdominal Pressure Measurement

Objective To investigate the effect of different reference points on intra-abdominal pressure( IAP) measurement. Methods Forty-two inpatients in the intensive care unit during August 2010 and August 2013 were recruited in this study. The values of IAP in points of symphysis pubis,right atrium level and the midaxillary line at the level of the iliac crest were respectively detected in the supine position for continous three times. Results The value of IAP pubis( 7. 81 ± 2. 75) mmHg was lower than IAP midax( 13. 48 ± 3. 42) mmHg,the value of IAP phlebostatic( 13. 67 ± 3. 45) mmHg was higher than the IAP midax value,and IAP pubis value was significantly lower than IAP phlebostatic value( P 0. 01,P 0. 05). Each of the two IAP values of the three reference points showed a rectilinear correlation( P 0. 01). Conclusion In the supine position,values of IAP pubis and IAP phlebostatic may be interfered with many factors,so the reference points of symphysis pubis and right atrium level may not completely replace the reference point of midaxillary line at the level of the iliac crest for detecting the IAP value.