The diastolic portion of the pulmonary artery pressure is approximately the same as the PCWP by how many mmHg?

The diastolic portion of the pulmonary artery pressure is approximately the same as the PCWP by how many mmHg?

• A. 0-4 mmHg
• B. 5-8 mmHg
• C. 8-12 mmHg
• D. 10-14 mmHg

Answer: (A)

Diastolic pulmonary artery pressure tracks the left-sided filling pressure because, in diastole, blood flow through the pulmonary circulation encounters minimal resistance, so the pressure at the end of diastole in the pulmonary artery is very close to the left atrial pressure. The wedge pressure (PCWP) is an estimate of left atrial pressure, so the diastolic PAP and PCWP are typically almost the same. The small difference between them is usually only a few mmHg, about 0 to 4 mmHg. If the gap is larger, it suggests an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance or other pulmonary vascular pathology.

Diastolic pulmonary artery pressure tracks the left-sided filling pressure because, in diastole, blood flow through the pulmonary circulation encounters minimal resistance, so the pressure at the end of diastole in the pulmonary artery is very close to the left atrial pressure. The wedge pressure (PCWP) is an estimate of left atrial pressure, so the diastolic PAP and PCWP are typically almost the same. The small difference between them is usually only a few mmHg, about 0 to 4 mmHg. If the gap is larger, it suggests an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance or other pulmonary vascular pathology.