An arterial pressure reading of negative 270 can lead to what complication?

A negative arterial pressure reading, such as negative 270, suggests a serious issue within the vascular access system that could lead to a series of complications, one of the most significant being blood hemolysis.

When the arterial pressure drops below zero, it indicates that there is possibly a malfunction in the dialysis system. This can occur due to improper access or pump malfunction, which can create turbulence or excessive suction that leads to the destruction of red blood cells, also known as hemolysis. Hemolysis can release hemoglobin into the bloodstream, leading to various complications that can severely affect a patient’s health, including kidney function and overall blood stability.

Other complications like infection, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalance can occur in dialysis settings, but they are not directly related to a negative arterial pressure reading in the same way hemolysis is. For instance, an infection typically arises from improper care of the access site, while fluid overload and electrolyte imbalances are more common concerns related to fluid and dietary management during dialysis but do not have a direct correlation to the negative arterial pressure reading itself.