Comparison of pulmonary artery diastolic and left ventricular end diastolic pressures in patients with ischaemic heart disease

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of pulmonary artery and left ventricular diastolic pressures at the pre 'a' point were made in 15 patients with ischaemic heart disease. There were 20 measurements in each patient. The pressures correlated well (r = 0·942). In 80% of the readings the difference between the two pressures was less than 2 mm Hg and the maximum difference was 5 mm Hg. The range of pressures was from 0 to 31 mm. Hg. An 'a' wave was always seen in one of the pressure curves and in 14 of the pulmonary artery traces. It is concluded that the pulmonary artery pre 'a' pressure reflects the pressure in the left ventricle at that time in patients with ischaemic heart disease.