direct measurement of blood pressure


direct measurement of blood pressure

Determination of the blood pressure within the lumen of an artery or within a chamber of the heart with a catheter introduced into the organ and attached to a pressure-monitoring transducer. It is done by placing a sterile needle or small catheter inside an artery and having the blood pressure transmitted through that system to a suitable recorder. As the blood pressure fluctuates, the changes are recorded graphically. See also: blood pressure