Overestimation of mitral valve gradients obtained by phasic pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

We investigated the relationship between left atrial (LA) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCW) in order to define the clinical settings in which PCW may be used to approximate LA pressure and to determine the cause and significance of difference between LA and PCW pressures. Nineteen patients who at cardiac catheterization had LA, PCW, and left ventricular (LV) pressures recorded, had mitral valve gradients and areas determined. Mean PCW...