Because of the large compliance of<unk>  circulation, it provides an indirect measure of the left atrial pressure. For example, it is considered the gold standard for determining the cause of acute<unk>  edema; this is likely to be present at a<unk> P of >20mmHg. It has also been used to diagnose severity of left ventricular failure and mitral stenosis, given that elevated<unk>  capillary<unk>  pressure strongly suggests failure of left ventricular output. Traditionally, it was believed that<unk>  edema with normal<unk> P suggested a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or non cardiogenic<unk>  edema (as in opiate poisoning). However, since capillary hydrostatic pressure exceeds<unk>  pressure once the balloon is deflated (to promote a gradient for forward flow), a normal<unk>  pressure cannot conclusively differentiate between hydrostatic<unk>  edema and ARDS. Physiological pressure: 6–12 mm Hg.
Pulmonary wedge pressure
Transpulmonary pressure
Right atrial pressure
Coronary perfusion pressure
Arteriovenous oxygen difference
Central venous pressure
Mean arterial pressure
Mean systemic pressure