There are a number of hemodynamic terms that you will need to understand

in order to properly interpret the hemodynamic measurements.

The following table illustrates common values associated with a hemodynamic
printout.
Please be aware that these normal values may vary depending on your
instrumentation, so always rely on your institution's policies and procedures.

Some of the values are actual measurements of pressure (mm Hg), volume (ml),
or flow speed (L/min), and other values are calculated or "derived" from
formulae. Click on the name of the parameter to link to the actual formula, if
applicable.

Parameter

Normal value

Blood Pressure
Systolic (SBP)

90-140 mmHg

Diastolic (DBP)

60-90mmHg

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

70 - 100 mm Hg

Cardiac Index (CI)

2.5-4 L/min/m2

Cardiac Output (CO)

4-8 L/min

Central Venous Pressure

(CVP) (also known as Right Atrial Pressure 2-6 mmHg
(RA))

Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PA)

Systolic 20-30
mmHg (PAS)
Diastolic 8-12 mmHg
(PAD)
Mean 25 mmHg
(PAM)

Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure

(PWCP)

4-12 mmHg

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR)

37-250

dynes/sec/cm5
Right Ventricular Pressure (RV)

Systolic-20-30
mmHg
Diastolic 0-5 mmHg

Stroke Index (SI)

25 - 45 ml/m2

Stroke Volume (SV)

50 - 100 ml

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

800-1200
dynes/sec/cm5

Afterload: Afterload describes the resistance that the heart has to

overcome, during every beat, to send blood into the aorta. These
resistive forces include vasoactivity and blood viscosity.
Cardiac Index (CI): The amount of blood pumped by the heart, per
minute, per meter square of body surface area.
Cardiac Output (CO): The volume of blood pumped by the heart in one
minute.
o Increased cardiac output may indicate a high circulating volume.
o Decreased cardiac output indicates a decrease in circulating
volume or a decrease in the strength of ventricular contraction.
Central Venous Pressure (CVP): CVP readings are used to
approximate the Right Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure (RVEDP). The
RVEDP assesses right ventricular function and general fluid status.
o Low CVP values typically reflect hypovolemia or decreased
venous return.
o High CVP values reflect overhydration, increased venous return or
right sided cardiac failure.
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP): Reflects changes in the relationship
between cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
and reflects the arterial pressure in the vessels perfusing the organs.
o A low MAP indicates decreased blood flow through the organs.

o A high MAP indicates an increased cardiac workload.

Preload: Preload occurs during diastole. It is the combination of
pulmonary blood filling the atria and the stretching of myocardial fibers.
Preload is regulated by the variability in intravascular volume.
o Volume reduction decreases preload
o Volume increase will increase preload, mean arterial pressure
(MAP) and stroke index (SI).
Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PA Pressure): Blood pressure in the
pulmonary artery.
o Increased pulmonary artery pressure may indicate: a left-to-right
cardiac shunt, pulmonary artery hypertension, COPD or
emphysema, pulmonary embolus, pulmonary edema, left
ventricular failure.
Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP or PAWP): PCWP
pressures are used to approximate LVEDP (left ventricular end diastolic
pressure).
o High PCWP may indicate left ventricle failure, mitral valve
pathology, cardiac insufficiency, cardiac compression post
hemorrhage.
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR): The measurement of
resistance or the impediment of the pulmonary vascular bed to blood
flow.
o An increased PVR or "Pulmonary Hypertension" is caused by
pulmonary vascular disease, pulmonary embolism, or pulmonary
vasculitis, or hypoxia.
o A decreased PVR is caused by medications such as calcium
channel blockers, aminophylline, or isoproterenol or by the
delivery of O2.
Right Ventricular Pressure (RV Pressure): A direct measurement that
indicates right ventricular function and general fluid status.

o High RV pressure may indicate: pulmonary hypertension, right

ventricle failure, congestive heart failure.
Stroke Index or Stroke Volume Index: (SI or SVI): The amount of
blood ejected from the heart in one cardiac cycle, relative to Body
Surface Area (BSA). It is measured in ml per meter square per beat.
o An increased SVI may be indicative of early septic shock,
hyperthermia, hypervolemia or be caused by medications such as
dopamine, dobutamine, or digitalis.
o A decreased SVI may be caused by CHF, late septic shock, beta
blockers, or an MI.
Stroke Volume (SV): The amount of blood pumped by the heart per
cardiac cycle. It is measured in ml/beat.
o A decreased SV may indicate impaired cardiac contractility or
valve dysfunction and may result in heart failure.
o An increased SV may be caused by an increase in circulating
volume or an increase in inotropy.
Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR): The measurement of resistance
or impediment of the systemic vascular bed to blood flow.
o An increased SVR can be caused by vasoconstrictors,
hypovolemia, or late septic shock.
o A decreased SVR can be caused by early septic shock,
vasodilators, morphine, nitrates, or hypercarbia.