Which hemodynamic measurement would you expect to see elevated in a patient with hypervolemia?

In the context of hypervolemia, both Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) and Central Venous Pressure (CVP) are expected to elevate. Hypervolemia is characterized by an increased volume of blood in the circulatory system, which significantly impacts hemodynamics.

Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure is a measure of left atrial pressure, reflecting the volume status of the left side of the heart. In hypervolemia, the increased fluid volume leads to higher pressures in the pulmonary circulation as the heart struggles to accommodate this excess fluid. Thus, an elevated PCWP indicates that the left atrium and pulmonary circulation are under increased pressure due to the excess volume.

Central Venous Pressure is a measurement that indicates the pressure in the thoracic vena cava, reflecting the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump blood into the arterial system. In patients with hypervolemia, the increased blood volume leads to elevated venous pressure as there is more blood returning to the right side of the heart. Consequently, CVP will be elevated.

Both of these pressures increase due to the underlying condition of hypervolemia, thereby confirming that both the PCWP and CVP will rise