The assessment of the average force exerted by blood against the pulmonary arterial walls during each cardiac cycle is a critical diagnostic measure. It is derived from systolic and diastolic pulmonary artery pressures, and often a calculation incorporates the pulmonary artery wedge pressure to provide a more complete hemodynamic profile. This value, expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), reflects the overall pressure within the pulmonary circulation.
Accurate determination of this value is essential for diagnosing and managing pulmonary hypertension and other cardiopulmonary disorders. Elevated levels can indicate increased resistance within the pulmonary vasculature, potentially leading to right ventricular strain and heart failure. Historically, invasive right heart catheterization was the gold standard for obtaining measurements, though non-invasive methods are increasingly utilized for screening and monitoring. Understanding the normal and abnormal ranges is fundamental in guiding treatment strategies and assessing patient prognosis.