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pulmonary capillary pressure (PCP)
Normal value: < 12 mm Hg
Notes:
Pulmonary capillary pressure (PCP) is counterbalanced by forces which keep fluid in the pulmonary intravascular space:
1) serum oncotic pressure
2) pulmonary interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Increases:
1) left ventricular failure
2) obstruction of flow through the mitral valve
a) mitral stenosis
b) atrial myxoma
3) pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (rare).
Related
pulmonary artery occlusive pressure (PAoP); pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP)
General
capillary pressure
References
- Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th ed, Ewald &
McKenzie (eds), Little, Brown & Co, Boston, 1995, pg 130
- UpToDate version 12.2