Elevated Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure

An abnormally increased PCWP (typically >15-18 mmHg) indicating elevated left atrial pressure and associated with risk of pulmonary congestion and edema.

Common causes are left ventricular failure, mitral valve disease, aortic valve disease, volume overload, or cardiac tamponade.

Causes

• Heart failure

  • Acute myocardial infarction

  • Left ventricular systolic failure

  • Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

  • Cardiac tamponade

  • Hypertensive heart disease

  • Restrictive cardiomyopathy

  • Constrictive pericarditis

• Valvular heart disease

  • Mitral valve stenosis

  • Mitral valve regurgitation

  • Aortic valve stenosis

  • Aortic valve regurgitation

• Volume overload

  • Fluid overload

  • Kidney failure

  • Excessive IV fluid administration