--- title: Impact of Filling Rates on Cystometry/Urodynamic Studies description: The rate at which the bladder is filled during the cystometric portion of the urodynamic exam influences the test results. image: https://info.bhnco.com/hubfs/sterile_waterl.jpg --- [![optional logo](https://info.bhnco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BHN_logo-1.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=BHN_logo-1.jpg) Brighter Health Network Turn-key, On-site Medical Testing](http://www.bhnco.com/index.html) [Customer Sign in](http://www.bhnportal.com/) - [Home](https://www.bhnco.com/index.html) - [About us](https://www.bhnco.com/about_us.html) - Services - Urodynamic Services - [Urodynamic Testing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urodynamic-services.html) - [Urodynamics Training](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urodynamics-training.html) - [Urodynamic Staffing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urology-obgyn-staff-services.html) - [Pediatric Urodynamic Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/pediatric-urodynamics-services.html) - Anorectal Manometry Services - [Anorectal Manometry Testing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/anorectal-manometry-services.html) - [Anorectal Manometry Training](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/anorectal-manometry-training.html) - [Anorectal Manometry Staffing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/gastroenterology-staff-services.html) - Other Services - [UroCuff Testing Servcies](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urocuff-testing-services.html) - [Clinical Trial Support Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/clinical-trial-support-services.html) - [Medical Device Field Service/Support](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/medical-device-inservice-outsourcing-services.html) - [Careers](https://www.bhnco.com/BHN-Careers-Jobs.html) - [Blog](https://info.bhnco.com/blog) - Resources - General Resources - [Why outsourcing diagnostics is prudent?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/outsourcing-medical-diagnostics.html) - Urodynamics Resources - [What is a Urodynamics Test?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/what-is-a-urodynamics-test.html) - [Urodynamics - Useful Terms](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/urodynamics-useful-terms.html) - [Urodynamics - Useful videos](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/urodynamics-useful-videos.html) - [When should Urodynamics be performed?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/When-should-urodynamics-be-performed.html) - [Urodynamics Testing Best Practices](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/urodynamics-testing-best-practices.html) - [Top 10 Urodynamics Mistakes](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/top-ten-urodynamics-mistakes.html) - [Largest Urology Practices in U.S.](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/largest-urology-practices-in-unitedstates.html) - [In-office Urodynamics Testing](https://www.bhnco.com/BHN_inoffice.htm) - Anorectal Manometry Resources - [What is Anorectal Manometry?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/What-is-anorectal-manometry.html) - [Anorectal Manometry - Useful Terms](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/anorectal-manometry-useful-terms.html) - [Anorectal Manometry - Useful Videos](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/anorectal-manometry-useful-videos.html) - [Why anorectal manometry?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/Why-anorectal-manometry.html) - [Contact](https://www.bhnco.com/contact.html) ![Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg](https://info.bhnco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg?width=1920&name=Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg "Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg") ## BHN Healthcare Blog # Impact of Filling Rates on Cystometry/Urodynamic Studies Posted by [Dr. Peter Steinberg](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/author/dr-peter-steinberg) on Jul 2, 2019 2:50:53 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![FillingWater](https://info.bhnco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FillingWater.jpeg?width=666&name=FillingWater.jpeg) As with many of the practical aspects of urodynamics (UDS) testing, the rate at which the bladder is filled during the cystometric portion of the exam influences the test results. Generally speaking, filling during UDS can be at rates below physiologic levels, at physiologic levels or at supra-physiologic levels. There are distinct pros and cons to filling at either physiologic rates or rates above that, while filling at a rate below the natural rate of bladder filling is both inefficient and unnatural. To fill the bladder at a rate comparable to natural urine production is a challenging calculation. There are several rough rules of thumb to assess the fill rate1. One is assuming a maximal fill rate in adults of 20-30 mL/minute. Another is to fill the bladder at 10% of the maximal voided volume, keeping in mind that a void includes both the amount that is voided and residual urine1. The latter is commonly used in children and in many adults would often lead to fill rates in the 20-30 mL minute range. When filling at a physiologic rate, the primary advantage is that this mimics natural bladder physiology, giving a test result that approximates real world conditions, one of the key goals of UDS. Another benefit is that this allows the person performing the test to have more time to evaluate the tracing and manage artifacts as they emerge. The primary disadvantages are that this can make testing take longer than faster fill rates and this may not induce the same degree of overactivity as higher fill rates will cause. Additionally, may studies of UDS have been conducted with such rates and if you are either comparing to published data or generating research data, this is a key item to remember1. Supra-physiologic rates obviously are rates in excess of the prior parameters of 20-30 mL/min or over 10% of bladder capacity per minute. This clearly leads to a faster time to cycle through the test, as the faster fill rates get the cystometric exam completed in a shorter time. This also may lead to increased overactivity and allow observation of that in patients where this an issue. On the downside, this clearly does not mimic natural voiding function and thus may lead to results that are not comparable to the patient’s voiding outside of the UDS lab environment. Furthermore, this is not how standard research studies of UDS have been conducted and thus may not mimic data in the literature1. Clearly the fill rate you choose during an exam may influence the results you obtain. In the most basic sense, faster fill rates will lead to more efficient use of time, but may induce overactivity when it may not occur at physiologic rates. More physiologic rates will obviously mimic natural voiding more closely, but with the downside of taking longer to conduct a single test.   [![Get Urodynamics Testing Services Brochure and Pricing](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1835638/4d79b463-dff4-443a-b652-a46b4091ef65.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1835638/4d79b463-dff4-443a-b652-a46b4091ef65)   **References:** International Continence Society Good Urodynamic Practices and Terms 2016: Urodynamics, uroflowmetry, cystometry, and pressure-flow study. Rosier, Schaefer, Lose et al. *Neurourol Urodynam* 2016; 9999: 1-18. Topics: [Urodynamics Testing](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-testing), [urodynamics](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics), [urodynamics training](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-training) We hope our blog is helpful.  Please leave us your thoughts and feel free to share any posts of interest to you on your social media accounts using the social media links at the top. ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [urodynamics (34)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics) - [Urodynamics Testing (24)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-testing) - [Anorectal Manometry (9)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry) - [urodynamics equipment (8)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-equipment) - [General Urology Information (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/general-urology-information) - [Medical Practice Operations (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/medical-practice-operations) - [incontinence (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/incontinence) - [urodynamics service provider (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-service-provider) - [ObGyn Practices (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/obgyn-practices) - [male urodynamics (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/male-urodynamics) - [urodynamics staffing (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-staffing) - [urodynamics training (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-training) - [urodynamics interpretation (5)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-interpretation) - [Male Diagnostics (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/male-diagnostics) - [stress incontinence (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/stress-incontinence) - [urinariy incontinence (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urinariy-incontinence) - [urodynamics profitability (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-profitability) - [urology (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology) - [Medical Device Field Service (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/medical-device-field-service) - [Pediatric Urodynamics (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/pediatric-urodynamics) - [Reimbursement (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursement) - [UroGynecology (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urogynecology) - [Uroflowmetry (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/uroflowmetry) - [Urology Practice Trends (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology-practice-trends) - [outsourcing diagnostics (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/outsourcing-diagnostics) - [post-void residual (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/post-void-residual) - [urodynamic catheters (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamic-catheters) - [Anorectal Manometry Testing (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-testing) - [BHN (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/bhn) - [Bladder Cancer (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/bladder-cancer) - [Cystometrogram (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/cystometrogram) - [Post-Operative Urodynamics (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/post-operative-urodynamics) - [Reimbursement Trends (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursement-trends) - [Reimbursments (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursments) - [Ultasound (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/ultasound) - [UroCuff (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urocuff) - [Urodynamics Nurse (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-nurse) - [anorectal manometry procedure (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-procedure) - [anorectal manometry test (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-test) - [clinical operations (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/clinical-operations) - [interstitial cystitis (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/interstitial-cystitis) - [pelvic organ prolapse (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/pelvic-organ-prolapse) - [urodynamics billing (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-billing) - [urodynamics catheters (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-catheters) - [video urodynamics (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/video-urodynamics) - [American Urogynecologic Society (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/american-urogynecologic-society) - [Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia) - [Brighter Health Network (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/brighter-health-network) - [Catheterization (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/catheterization) - [Colonoscopy (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/colonoscopy) - [Hirschsprung Disease (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/hirschsprung-disease) - [Incontinence Screening Questionnaires (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/incontinence-screening-questionnaires) - [Insider (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/insider) - [InterStim (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/interstim) - [International Urogynecological Association (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/international-urogynecological-association) - [Irritable Bowel Syndrome (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/irritable-bowel-syndrome) - [Medtronic NURO (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/medtronic-nuro) - [Nerve Blocks (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/nerve-blocks) - [Neurogenic Bladder (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/neurogenic-bladder) - [OAB Neuromodulation (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/oab-neuromodulation) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflexes (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/rectoanal-inhibitory-reflexes) - [Reimbursment Trends (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursment-trends) - [Spina Bifida (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/spina-bifida) - [Urgent PC (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urgent-pc) - [Urodynamics And Artificial Intelligence (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-and-artificial-intelligence) - [Urodynamics Reimbursement Rates (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-reimbursement-rates) - [Urodynamics compliance (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-compliance) - [Uroflow (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/uroflow) - [Urology Jokes (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology-jokes) - [Urology Practice Staffing (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology-practice-staffing) - [ancillary services (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/ancillary-services) - [anorectal manometry treatment (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-treatment) - [colonoscopies (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/colonoscopies) - [colpoplasty (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/colpoplasty) - [fecal incontinence (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/fecal-incontinence) - [finance (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/finance) - [hospital operations (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/hospital-operations) - [intraurethral (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/intraurethral) - [lidocaine (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/lidocaine) see all ### About us flexible and comprehensive urodynamics and anorectal manometry solutions delivered on-site. 1739 University Ave., #338, Oxford, MS 38655 888-508-3330 805-392-8111 [info@BHNCo.com](mailto:info@BHNCo.com) Copyright ©2022 Brighter Health Network, LLC all rights reserved | [Privacy Policy](http://www.bhnco.com/BHN-Privacy-Policy.html) Brighter Health Network ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/959693890/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)