A 50-year-old woman on ICU has an arterial line displaying a significantly over-damped waveform - the systolic peak is flattened and the dicrotic notc...

Question

A 50-year-old woman on ICU has an arterial line displaying a significantly over-damped waveform - the systolic peak is flattened and the dicrotic notch is absent. What is the most likely cause and consequence?

Accepted Answer

Air bubbles in the transducer system - will underestimate systolic and overestimate diastolic blood pressure

Answer

The transducer is positioned above the level of the heart - overestimating blood pressure

Answer

Resonance artefact - overestimating systolic blood pressure

Answer

The arterial line is correctly functioning

Answer

Arterial spasm - overestimating blood pressure

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Arterial Line Troubleshooting

A 50-year-old woman on ICU has an arterial line displaying a significantly over-damped waveform - the systolic peak is flattened and the dicrotic notch is absent. What is the most likely cause and consequence?