Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure | 合法醫療器材資訊網

Whatdoesitmeasure?...Pulmonarycapillarywedgepressure(PCWP)providesanindirectestimateofleftatrialpressure(LAP).Althoughleftventricularpressure​ ...

Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) provides an indirect estimate of left atrial pressure (LAP). Although left ventricular pressure can be directly measured by placing a catheter within the left ventricle, it is not feasible to advance this catheter back into the left atrium. LAP can be measured by placing a special catheter into the right atrium, then punching through the interatrial septum; however, for obvious reasons, this is not usually performed because of damage to the septum and potential harm to the patient.

PCWP is measured by inserting a balloon-tipped, multi-lumen catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter) into a peripheral vein (e.g., jugular or femoral vein). The catheter is then advanced into the right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, and then into a branch of the pulmonary artery. The catheter has a lumen (...