Cardiac Chamber Pressures (in mmHg, Approximate Values)
| Chamber/Vessel | Systolic Pressure | Diastolic Pressure | Mean Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Atrium (RA) | — | 0-5 | 5 |
| Right Ventricle (RV) | 25 | 5 | — |
| Pulmonary Artery (PA) | 25 | 10 | 10-15 |
| Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) | — | — | 6-12 |
| Left Atrium (LA) | — | — | ~10 |
| Left Ventricle (LV) | 120 | 10 | — |
| Aorta | 120 | 80 | 90-100 |
Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP)
- Definition: PCWP is a measurement of left atrial pressure obtained using a pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter).
- Clinical Importance:
- Used to assess left heart function and pulmonary congestion.
- PCWP ≈ Left Atrial Pressure (LAP) under normal conditions.
- In mitral stenosis, PCWP > LV end-diastolic pressure due to impaired blood flow from LA to LV.
Clinical Relevance
Elevated PCWP (>12 mmHg)
- Causes:
- Left-sided heart failure
- Mitral valve disease (stenosis/regurgitation)
- Volume overload
- Pulmonary venous congestion
Decreased PCWP (<6 mmHg)
- Causes:
- Hypovolemia
- Dehydration
- Hemorrhage
Key Takeaways
- PCWP is a surrogate for left atrial pressure and helps diagnose pulmonary congestion and left-sided heart failure.
- Measured via Swan-Ganz catheter, commonly used in ICU settings.
- Mitral stenosis causes PCWP > LVEDP due to blood flow obstruction.