Scribd
Upload
22 views

C C C C C C C C C C C

The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is measured by wedging a pulmonary catheter into a small pulmonary arterial branch and provides an indirect measure of left atrial pressure due to the compliance of the pulmonary circulation. A PCWP over 20mmHg indicates the likely cause of acute pulmonary edema is present and it is used to diagnose severity of left ventricular failure, mitral stenosis, and in diagnosing acute respiratory distress syndrome. The normal physiological PCWP range is 6±12 mm Hg.

Uploaded by

Shenalyn Dayaon
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
22 views

C C C C C C C C C C C

The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is measured by wedging a pulmonary catheter into a small pulmonary arterial branch and provides an indirect measure of left atrial pressure due to the compliance of the pulmonary circulation. A PCWP over 20mmHg indicates the likely cause of acute pulmonary edema is present and it is used to diagnose severity of left ventricular failure, mitral stenosis, and in diagnosing acute respiratory distress syndrome. The normal physiological PCWP range is 6±12 mm Hg.

Uploaded by

Shenalyn Dayaon
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Pulmonary wedge pressure

The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or PCWP (also called the pulmonary wedge pressure or PWP, or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure or PAOP) is the pressure measured by wedging a pulmonary catheter with an inflated balloon into a small pulmonary arterial branch.[1] Physiologically, distinctions can be drawn among pulmonary venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and left atrial pressure, but not all of these can be measured in a clinical context.[2]

Clinical significance
Because of the large compliance of the pulmonary circulation, it provides an indirect measure of the left atrial pressure.[5] For example, it is considered the gold standard for determining the cause of acute pulmonary edema; this is likely to be present at a PCWP of >20mmHg. It has also been used to diagnose severity of left ventricular failure and mitral stenosis[6] Calculating PCWP is also important in diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Physiological pressure: 612 mm Hg.[7]

Site

Central venous pressure

Normal pressure range (in mmHg) 3 8

You might also like