What is pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

Everyone's lung function must be normal because it is used for normal breathing every day. If there is a problem with the lung function, it means that there is a problem with the person's lungs. Many people often suffer from pulmonary capillary wedge pressure due to long-term bad eating habits, long-term smoking, drinking, or other problems. This will affect the heart function and may even cause hemorrhagic shock in patients. Patients should have timely physical examinations. For patients with arrhythmias, bacterial heart disease, and bacterial endocarditis, they must not act on their own. They must do relevant examinations under the guidance and arrangement of a doctor, because our bodies cannot make decisions on their own. After the disease occurs, we must cooperate with the doctor's professional diagnosis and treatment.

Normal value

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) The normal value of pulmonary artery pressure or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure monitoring is 6-12mmHg.

Clinical significance

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure can reflect left ventricular filling pressure and can be used to judge left ventricular function.

For patients with hemorrhagic shock, if the PCWP decreases, it indicates that blood volume should be supplemented.

In patients with cardiogenic shock, elevated PCWP suggests left heart failure or pulmonary edema.

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is a reliable indicator of left ventricular function and its preload.

The PCWP in the compensatory stage of left ventricular dysfunction (or adaptation to left ventricular dysfunction) is 1.6-2.4 kPa (12-18 mmHg). >2.4 kPa indicates heart failure and poor adaptation.

When the value is >2.67 kPa (20 mmHg), it indicates mild decline in left ventricular function, but fluid restriction should be used for treatment;

When the pressure is >3.33-4.0 kPa (25-30 mmHg), it indicates severe left heart failure and the possibility of pulmonary edema.

When its value is <1.07kPa (8mmHg), it is accompanied by a decrease in cardiac output and peripheral circulatory disorders, indicating insufficient blood volume.

Increased PAWP is seen in left ventricular dysfunction and mitral valve disease. Abnormal results: (1) Acute myocardial infarction with shock (2) Unexplained severe hypotension (3) Multiple organ dysfunction (4) Pulmonary hypertension (5) Low cardiac output syndrome (6) Patients with hemodynamic instability who need to be maintained with inotropes or IABP. People who need to be examined: Patients with the above-mentioned symptoms of myocardial infarction with shock, severe hypotension, pulmonary hypertension, etc.

Precautions

Unsuitable groups: (1) Severe arrhythmias (2) Bacterial endocarditis or endarteritis (3) Cardiac bundle branch block, especially complete left bundle branch block (4) Severe pulmonary hypertension (5) Severe bleeding tendency (6) Mural thrombi in the heart and large blood vessels (7) Those suspected of ventricular aneurysm and not suitable for surgery (8) Those who have recently implanted a pacing catheter. Contraindications before examination: Maintain normal living and eating habits, and pay attention to personal hygiene. Requirements during the examination: The examination is traumatic, so you must be careful to protect yourself and prevent infection.

Inspection process

Measurement method: The pulmonary artery wedge pressure is usually measured by using a Swan-Ganz balloon floating catheter to float through the blood flow and wedge into the pulmonary arterioles to block the forward blood flow there. The pressure measured at the tip of the catheter is the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). When a pulmonary arteriole is blocked by a wedge, the blood in the blocked pulmonary artery segment and the corresponding pulmonary venule segment stagnates, forming a static blood flow column with equal internal pressure. Since the large pulmonary venous blood flow resistance can be ignored, PAWP is equal to pulmonary venous pressure or left atrial pressure.

Related diseases

Congestive heart failure, pulmonary artery hypoplasia, aortopulmonary septal defect, pulmonary actinomycosis, anaphylactic shock, pulmonary artery stenosis.

Related symptoms

Pulmonary stenosis murmur, pulmonary atresia, hypotension.