ABSTRACT
We determined the coefficient of variation (COVA, defined as the standard deviation di vided by the mean value) of two techniques for LAP measurement in 15 sedated and ventilated patients: through a bladder Foley manometer (Holtech Medical, Copenhagen, Denmark) and with a fully-automated continuous technique using a balloon-tipped gastric catheter connected to an LAP monitor (Spiegelberg, Hamburg, Germany).1 Measuring the LAP every two hours, the COVAs were 17.1% and 18.7%, respectively. These variations may be even more pro nounced in nonsedated patients. Thus, intermittent measurements are only snapshots and prevalence and incidence of LAH are affected by the frequency of LAP measurements.
