Invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitoring is essential for caring for critically ill patients. The pressure transducer should be placed at the phlebostatic axis to provide accurate and reliable readings. A prospective observational study was conducted with 50 participants using consecutive sampling. Adult patients on IBP monitoring admitted to the intensive care unit after cardiac surgery, who were hemodynamically stable, were included. Arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure measurements were taken at different transducer positions, including the IV stand, bedside, and upper arm, which were leveled at the phlebostatic axis (PA) and ±5 cm from PA. The study found a statistically significant difference in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure measured at the PA and ±5 cm of the phlebostatic (PB) axis ( P < .001), as well as at various transducer positions, including the IV stand, taped to bedside, and taped to the upper arm ( P = .052, P < .001, P < .001). At all positions at the PB axis, taping at the bedside placement generally results in higher readings. Routine placement of the transducer at the bedside should be avoided, and it is essential to position the transducer with the IV/Transducer stand, or the patient’s upper arm approximated at the PA.
Kath et al. (Thu,) studied this question.