Phlebostatic axis

Ideally, the transducer should be placed at the level of the tip of the catheter. To ensure this placement, the stopcock closest to the transducer, or air-reference stopcock, is placed level with the phlebostatic axis, a common physical reference point. The phlebostatic axis is located at the fourth intercostal space and 1/2 the anterior-posterior (AP) diameter of the chest. This approximates the location of the right atrium. The nurse should ensure that, any time a reading is taken, the transducer remains at the level of the phlebostatic axis.

External links

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* [http://www.nurse411.com/Swan_Ganz.asp Diagram (search for text "Figure 8")]
* [http://www.chestnet.org/education/online/pccu/vol20/lessons13_15/print13.php "Common Pitfalls in the Use of the Pulmonary Artery Catheter"]