UNCOUPLING OF PULMONARY PULSE PRESSURE AND PULMONARY ARTERIAL WEDGE PRESSURE DURING EXERCISE IN DYSPNEIC PATIENTS WITH NORMAL RESTING HEMODYNAMICS

Abstract

Hemodynamic response to exercise is used to evaluate causes of dyspnea in suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to pulmonary vascular or left heart disease. Such studies may disclose abnormal increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) in the context of cardiac output, even when hemodynamics in the resting state are within normal limits. We hypothesized that the relationship between the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) and the pulmonary pulse pressure (PP), closely coupled in health, may further discriminate specific abnormalities of this integrated physiology.