Pressure Wave Modifications in Different Cardiac and Respiratory Events

Abstract

Heart and respiration may affect the morphology and the absolute values of pressure waves to such an extent that we would advise everyone to have a screen or, better, a recorder presenting, at the same time, ECG values, a respiration curve identifying inspiration and expiration, and the pressure wave to be monitored. We would also advise everyone to acquire a thorough knowledge of the normal morphology of pressure waves and their relationships with the cardiac cycle. Unfortunately, neither nursing nor medical students are made aware of the need for an accurate cardiovascular monitoring. Perhaps this is why the reading of pressure waves is generally approximate and difficult tracings are often misinterpreted.