Correlation between peripheral and central venous pressures in children with congenital heart disease.

Central venous pressure (CVP) measurement is a reliable method for evaluating intravascular volume status and cardiac function, but it is an invasive method that results in some complications such as arterial puncture, pneumothorax, and development of infection. The current study was performed to compare CVP measurements between central and peripheral catheters in infants and children with congenital heart disease referred for right-sided heart catheterization. The CVP and peripheral venous pressure (PVP) in 45 patients were measured simultaneously. The mean difference between CVPs measured from the central and peripheral catheters was 8 +/- 4 cm H(2)O. The linear regression equation showed that CVP = 0.32 PVP + 3.8 (r = 0.67; p < 0.005). There was no difference in CVP measurements depending on the intravenous cannula and chest diameters, arm diameter, arm length, body surface area, patient's age (< or =10 years and >10 years), and type of congenital heart disease (cyanotic or noncyanotic). In conclusion, although CVP measured from a peripheral intravenous catheter in infants and children with congenital heart disease is not as accurate as the measurement in adults, the aforementioned linear regression equation based on measurement of PVP gives a reliable estimate of CVP.