Advanced Hemodynamics - Orlando Health

Line Setup & Zeroing of a Transduced System
Advanced Hemodynamic Monitoring
The majority of hemodynamic monitoring systems are set up in a similar manner. The exact type of
transducer system used varies among institutions. Review the policies and guidelines where you
work for more specific information.
Equipment
Assemble all components of the system prior to set up (this may be performed by a nurse, a
respiratory therapist or a technician). The components include:
Pressure cuff (pressure pack) for IV bag
One liter bag of normal saline
Pre-assembled, disposable pressure tubing with flush device and disposable transducer and
stopcocks
I.V. pole with transducer mount (called a manifold)
Carpenter’s level or other leveling device
Patient monitor, pressure module and monitor cable
Equipment Set-up
1. Obtain a 1000 ml bag of 0.9% saline; invert the bag and spike it with IV tubing, then turn it
upright and fill the drip chamber until it is completely full.
2. The tubing comes with stopcock caps with holes in them so one does not have to remove
the caps prior to priming the tubing. Position all stopcocks so the flush solution will flow
through the entire system. Be sure to flush all the stopcock ports. Roll the tubing’s flow
regulator to the OFF position.
3. Activate the fast flush device and flush the saline through the entire setup one more time.
Check to be sure that all air has been purged from the system. Examine the transducer and
each stopcock carefully, as small bubbles tend to cling to these components. Air left in the
tubing can cause inaccurate transmission of pressure to the transducer.
4. Replace all vented (the ones with holes) port caps with closed (dead-end) caps, making
sure to maintain the sterility of each cap’s insertion end.
5. Place the bag of saline into the pressure bag, and adjust the pressure to at least 300 mm Hg.
This is the pressure that is required to maintain a continuous flow of 3-5 ml/minute through
the intraflow valve. This helps prevent clotting of the catheter and backflow of blood into
the tubing.
6. Before the monitor can measure pressures, the transducer must be zeroed to atmospheric
pressure. The purpose of this procedure is to make sure the transducer reads zero when no
pressure is against it. This procedure is like zeroing a scale before weighing something to
assure accuracy. To zero the transducer, place the stopcock so it is open between the
transducer and air, and press the zero button on the monitor. Zeroing can be performed
whether or not the patient is attached to the system, so no particular patient position is
required to complete this step. The transducer should be re-zeroed whenever the reading is
in doubt, or anytime the monitor has been disconnected from the transducer setup.
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