PCWP
Also written as: PCWP — pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, a hemodynamic measurement that reflects left atrial pressure and left ventricular filling pressure.
Full Definition
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), also known as pulmonary artery wedge pressure, is a hemodynamic measurement obtained during right heart catheterization that reflects left atrial pressure and, in the absence of mitral valve disease, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The measurement is obtained by advancing a balloon-tipped catheter into a pulmonary artery branch and inflating the balloon to temporarily occlude flow, creating a static column of blood that equilibrates with left atrial pressure. Normal PCWP is 8-12 mmHg, with elevated values indicating left heart failure, volume overload, or mitral valve disease. PCWP is crucial for distinguishing cardiogenic from non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and guiding fluid management in critically ill patients.
Usage
Usage note: Critical measurement for hemodynamic assessment in heart failure and shock states.
In Context
- "PCWP of 22 mmHg confirmed cardiogenic pulmonary edema." — right heart catheterization report
- "Swan-Ganz catheter placement allowed continuous monitoring of PCWP." — ICU procedure note