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Definition of phlebostatic axis

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

One of the advances that have changed the history of medicine the most, allowing a range of possibilities unheard of until now, was the invention of the catheter in general and the central venous catheter in particular.

If not for this technical innovation, it would be impossible to perform emergency interventions or operations as complicated as organ transplants, abdominal or cardiovascular surgery, the administration of parenteral drugs, hemodynamic monitoring, or hemodialysis.

Despite being widely disseminated and established as one more element of our medical services, the central venous catheter poses a significant risk to the patient; this further highlights all its possibilities and how the emergency care paradigm has changed.

However, following the appropriate protocols and with a qualified medical staff, the complications in its implantation should be minimized. Among these protocols, we find the concept that concerns us now. Do you want to know the Definition of the hemostatic axis and what it is used for? Keep reading this FastlyHealarticle, and we will explain everything to you.

What is the phlebostatic axis?

In different operations or medical interventions, it is necessary to locate the hemostatic axis correctly; this axis is the approximate area where the right atrium is situated, and it is reached by drawing an imaginary line from the fourth intercostal space on the right side of the sternum until reaching the intersection with the mid-axillary line.

The hemostatic axis or thoracic anteroposterior midpoint is the valid reference point of the right atrium, as long as the patient is in the passive or Fowler position, since if the patient were in the lateral decubitus, the reference of the atrium is lost, for what the reference point should become the sternal midline.

The operation of locating the phlebostatic axis can be divided into two steps :

  1. First, an imaginary line should be drawn from the fourth intercostal space to the right side of the thorax.
  2. Once this is done, a second imaginary line must be removed from the patient’s mid-axillary line downward. At the point where these two imaginary lines intersect, the patient’s phlebostatic axis will be found.

What is PVC

The primary use for locating the phlebostatic axis is determining the pressure in the superior vena cava when it enters the right atrium. With PVC, the volume of blood that returns to the right heart from the entire body can be measured. This amount will be the one that exerts the pressure to fill the atrium and then the right ventricle, which is called ventricular preload before the ventricular systole is executed that returns the blood to the body through the left heart and the aorta.

With the measurement of PVC, we can know a hemodynamic parameter that helps us monitor intravenous administration, either of fluids or drugs, inadequate volumes.

From our nursing point of view, what is intended with the measurement of PVC is to achieve a hemodynamic parameter that allows us to monitor the administration of intravenous fluids to maintain an adequate blood volume.

To measure PVC, it is essential:

  • Have enabled a central catheter in the phlebostatic axis.
  • A transducer is a system for measuring PVC located on the phlebostatic axis.
  • Connect the transducer to one of the central catheter lumens.
  • Connect the transducer to the monitor.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Definition of the phlebostatic axis , we recommend that you enter our Medical Dictionary category .

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