A Noninvasive Method of Predicting Pulmonary-Capillary Wedge Pressure

THE pulmonary-capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is an important indicator of cardiac function and intravascular and pulmonary venous volume. Clinical and radiographic methods of detecting congestive heart failure are insensitive to increases in the PCWP, 1 , 2 and hemodynamic monitoring of this pressure with use of a balloon-tipped, flow-directed catheter has therefore become commonplace in acutely ill patients. 3 Because it is an invasive procedure and occasionally causes serious complications, pulmonary-artery catheterization is not an acceptable alternative either for screening or as a guide to routine therapy for congestive heart failure. 4 5 6 A noninvasive method of estimating the PCWP could contribute to the early detection . . .