{"id":60091,"date":"2017-11-15T12:53:41","date_gmt":"2017-11-15T10:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/?p=60091"},"modified":"2026-10-01T13:34:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T10:34:32","slug":"pulmonary-vascular-resistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/pulmonary-vascular-resistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Pulmonary Vascular Resistance"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Estimate Pulmonary Vascular Resistance<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"60091\" data-favorite-title=\"Pulmonary Vascular Resistance\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/pulmonary-vascular-resistance\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Calculate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) from mean pulmonary artery pressure, wedge pressure, and cardiac output. Enter values from right heart catheterization to get PVR in dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075 or Wood units.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-heartbeat\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/pulmonary-vascular-resistance\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-60091\" data-post=\"60091\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-3\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Mean PA pressure<\/label><div class=\"term\">pap<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"mean_pa_pressure\" id=\"field-1\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-1\" placeholder=\"mmHg\" step=\"any\" value=\"25\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-1\">mmHg<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">Mean PAW pressure<\/label><div class=\"term\">pcw<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"mean_paw_pressure\" id=\"field-2\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-2\" placeholder=\"mmHg\" step=\"any\" value=\"10\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-2\">mmHg<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">Cardiac output<\/label><div class=\"term\">co<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"number\" name=\"cardiac_output\" id=\"field-3\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-3\" placeholder=\"L\/min\" step=\"any\" value=\"5\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-3\">L\/min<\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"60091\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Results<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Pulmonary vascular resistance<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\" data-unit=\"dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"60091\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" 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aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ \\text{PVR} = \\frac{80 \\times (\\text{PAP} - \\text{PCWP})}{\\text{CO}} \\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(\\text{PAP}\\) \u2014 mean pulmonary artery pressure (mmHg)<\/li>\n<li>\\(\\text{PCWP}\\) \u2014 mean pulmonary capillary wedge (PAW) pressure (mmHg)<\/li>\n<li>\\(\\text{CO}\\) \u2014 cardiac output (L\/min)<\/li>\n<li>\\(\\text{PVR}\\) \u2014 pulmonary vascular resistance (dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The difference between the mean pulmonary artery pressure and the wedge pressure is the pressure drop across the pulmonary vasculature; dividing it by the cardiac output gives the resistance to flow. The factor 80 converts the result from Wood units (mmHg\u00b7min\/L) into dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Pulmonary Vascular Resistance \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> a patient undergoing right heart catheterization has a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 25 mmHg, a wedge pressure of 10 mmHg, and a cardiac output of 5 L\/min.<\/p>\n<p>\\[ \\text{PVR} = \\frac{80 \\times (25 - 10)}{5} = \\frac{80 \\times 15}{5} = 240 \\ \\text{dyn\u00b7s\/cm}^5 \\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[ 240 \\div 80 = 3 \\ \\text{Wood units} \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> PVR = 240 dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075, or 3 Wood units \u2014 a value at the upper boundary of normal, suggesting elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to Use the Calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Mean PA pressure<\/strong> (mPAP) in mmHg, measured during right heart catheterization.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Mean PAW pressure<\/strong> \u2014 the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) \u2014 in mmHg.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Cardiac output<\/strong> in L\/min, obtained by thermodilution or the Fick method.<\/li>\n<li>Read the <strong>Pulmonary vascular resistance<\/strong> in dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075. Divide by 80 if you need the value in Wood units.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What Is Pulmonary Vascular Resistance?<\/h2>\n<p>Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is the resistance that the pulmonary blood vessels offer to blood flow from the right ventricle to the left atrium. It is a key hemodynamic parameter in the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular function. Because the pulmonary circulation is a low-pressure system, even moderate increases in PVR significantly raise the afterload on the right ventricle, which over time can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy, dilation, and failure.<\/p>\n<p>PVR cannot be measured directly; it is derived from measurements obtained during right heart catheterization. The driving pressure across the pulmonary vasculature is the difference between the mean pulmonary artery pressure and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (a surrogate for left atrial pressure). Dividing this driving pressure by the cardiac output yields the resistance, in accordance with a simplified form of Ohm's law applied to the circulation.<\/p>\n<p>Results are reported either in dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075 or in Wood units (WU), where 1 WU = 80 dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075. Wood units are often preferred at the bedside because the numbers are small and intuitive. A normal PVR is below 2 WU (below 160 dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075). Values of 3 WU or more indicate elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and, in patients with elevated wedge pressure, help distinguish combined post-capillary and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension from isolated post-capillary disease.<\/p>\n<p>PVR is also used to assess operability in congenital heart disease, to monitor response to pulmonary vasodilator therapy, and to evaluate candidates for heart or lung transplantation. If you do not have a measured cardiac output, you can estimate it first with our <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/cardiac-output\/\">Cardiac Output (Fick Method) calculator<\/a>; the right ventricle's pumping performance can then be assessed with the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/right-ventricular-stroke-work-index\/\">Right Ventricular Stroke Work Index calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumptions, Limitations and Practical Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Invasive measurements required:<\/strong> mPAP, PCWP, and cardiac output all come from right heart catheterization. Non-invasive estimates of PVR are less accurate and should not replace invasive assessment when clinical decisions depend on it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accuracy of inputs matters:<\/strong> a wedge pressure that overestimates left atrial pressure (for example, in severe mitral stenosis or with an overwedged catheter) will underestimate PVR. Cardiac output errors also propagate directly into the result.<\/li>\n<li><strong>High output states:<\/strong> in conditions such as severe anemia, sepsis, or large left-to-right shunts, elevated flow can lower calculated PVR even when the pulmonary vasculature is remodeled. Interpret the value together with pressures and the clinical picture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Single-point measurement:<\/strong> PVR varies with volume status, exercise, oxygenation, and vasoactive drugs. Measurements during supine rest may miss exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interpret in context:<\/strong> an elevated PVR should always be read alongside mPAP, wedge pressure, and cardiac index, following current pulmonary hypertension guidelines, rather than in isolation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a broader hemodynamic picture, you may also find the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/mean-arterial-pressure\/\">Mean Arterial Pressure calculator<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/ejection-fraction\/\">Ejection Fraction calculator<\/a> useful, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/medical\/framingham-risk-score\/\">Framingham Heart Disease Risk calculator<\/a> can help frame overall cardiovascular risk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Calculate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) from mean pulmonary artery pressure, wedge pressure, and cardiac output. Enter values from right heart catheterization to get PVR in dyn\u00b7s\/cm\u2075 or Wood units.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[15],"class_list":["post-60091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medical","tag-cardiology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60091"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66340,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60091\/revisions\/66340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}