Pulmonary wedge pressure

The wedge pressure ( PCWP = pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, closure pressure) is an expression of the emergency and intensive care medicine. It describes the pressure of the closure member ( blocking) of a small branch of the pulmonary artery ( pulmonary artery ) by means of a balloon catheter ( pulmonary artery catheter which has been developed by and W.Swan HJGanz - so called Swan-Ganz catheter ) in wedge position (English = wedge wedge, to wedge = wedged to tightly clamp ) distal to the blocked balloon is measured.

The wedge pressure corresponds under physiological conditions the pressure conditions in the left atrium ( the pressure conditions in the left ventricle can not be assessed by right heart catheterization ).

The normal range for the wedge pressure is 6-12 mmHg.

Swell

• J. Schulte am Esch, E. Koch, H. Bause: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, 2nd Edition, Thieme -Verlag