Perfil de presión uretral
Urethral pressure profile
Rev. Hosp. Clin. Univ. Chile; 29 (2), 2018
Publication year: 2018
The “urethral pressure profile” is a graph indicating the intraluminal pressure along the length
of the urethra and the “urethral closure pressure profile” is given by the substraction of
intravesical pressure (pves) from urethral pressure (pura). Both aim to represent the ability
of the urethra to prevent involuntary leakage of urine on efforts or exertion. The continuous
measurement of pves also allows the detection of detrusor contractions. In this article we will
refer to its terminology, the necessary equipment to carry it out, the examination technique,
its morphology in women and men, and the stress urethral pressure profile in women. The
most important parameter is the “maximum urethral closure pressure”, which is the maximum
difference between pura and pves; a value ≤ 20 cm H2O participates in the urodynamic definition
of intrinsic sphincter deficiency (together with an abdominal leak point pressure ≤ 60 cm H2O).
However, it must be taken into account that the different techniques used for its measurement
has led to inconsistent results, which makes their acceptance in clinical practice difficult. (AU)