Cardiovascular alterations in severe pregnancy-induced hypertension: relationship of central venous pressure to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.

The relationship between central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was studied in 18 patients with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension. Although statistically a linear relationship for the group as a whole could be identified, analysis on a case-by-case basis revealed different results. In 10 patients, a linear correlation between central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was observed. However, accurate prediction of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure from central venous pressure was not possible even in this group because of large interindividual variations. In seven patients no correlation between central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure could be identified. In the last patient a curvilinear relationship existed between central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Additionally, in five cases of pulmonary edema, a negative gradient of colloid osmotic pressure to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure gradient was observed. Our data suggest that central venous pressure is not a clinically reliable predictor of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.