Range and Variability of Measurements of Venous Pressure in Man by Direct Manometry

¹ From the Physical Fitness Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois

Thirteen young men, ranging in age from 18 to 26, were tested twice, 1–2 weeks apart. Venous pressure measurements were made by direct cannulation of the median antecubital vein. Measurements were taken at rest, during a 5-minute exercise on the bicycle ergometer, and during a 15-minute recovery period. The range of resting venous pressure was from 73 to 169 mm water, with a mean pressure of 120 mm water. The variability of resting pressure was very small, the standard error of measurement being 5.5 mm water. The standard error of measurement of exercise pressure was 25 mm water. The subjects showed an average increase of 118 mm water during exercise, with a range from 60 to 190 mm water. The standard error of measurement for recovery pressure was 14.5 mm water.