Study of accuracy of mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure as an index of mean left atrial pressure before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy

ABSTRACT

In order to study the relation of mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure [PAWP] and mean left arterial pressure [LAP], 60 patients who had tight mitral stenosis and were candidates of percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy [PBMV] were included. Complete right and left heart study was done before and immediately after PBMV, with trial to obtain adequate wave from PAWP and to confirm it by a wedge blood sample with oxygen saturation >95%. 89 comparative readings of mean LAP and mean PAWP were available from 60 patients. There were 2 groups Group A, contained 42 readings, where oximetry confirmed adequate PAWP wave form and group B contained 47 readings with oximetry was not available to confirm PAWP wave form. It was concluded that, mean PAWP can accurately reflect the mean LAP if adequate PAWP wave form is obtained and if wedge blood sample had oxygen saturation of >95%, regardless of the magnitude of mean LAP or mean PAP