Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 5261237 216486612 2008-06-01T21:41:15Z CmdrObot 1079367 sp: it´s→it's The '''Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure''' (abbreviated '''PCWP'''), as measured by a [[Swan-Ganz catheter]], is the pressure measured in a pulmonary artery after occlusion of that artery. Because of the large [[Compliance (physiology)|compliance]] of the [[pulmonary circulation]], it provides an indirect measure of the left atrial pressure. For example it's considered the gold standard for determining the cause of acute pulmonary edema. Physiological pressure; 1-10 mm Hg. Go to http://www.cvphysiology.com/Heart%20Failure/HF008.htm for a good explanation. ==External links== * {{GPnotebook|-1113980888}} * [http://www.cvphysiology.com/Heart%20Failure/HF008.htm Overview at cvphysiology.com] * [http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/anesthesiology-elective/cardiac/pacphys.cfm Description at virginia.edu] * {{MeshName|Pulmonary+wedge+pressure}} [[Category:Medical terms]] [[Category:Medical tests]] [[Category:Medicine stubs]] [[Category:Cardiovascular system]] {{med-stub}} [[de:Wedge-Druck]]