The pressure obtained by a pulmonary artery wedge measurement reflects the pressure in which chamber?

The pressure obtained from a pulmonary artery wedge measurement reflects the pressure in the left atrium. This measurement is taken by inserting a catheter into the pulmonary artery and wedging it into a small branch of that artery to indirectly assess the left atrial pressure.

When the catheter is wedged, it occludes the small artery, allowing the pressure measured to reflect the pressure in the left atrium due to the pulmonary veins being directly connected to it. Consequently, this measurement is an important parameter in assessing left heart function and can help in diagnosing conditions such as heart failure or mitral valve diseases where left atrial pressure may be elevated.

Understanding the relationship between the pulmonary artery wedge measurement and left atrial pressure is crucial for cardiac sonographers in evaluating patients with cardiovascular diseases.