Pulmonary Artery Compliance: Clinical Guide

Overview

Calculates pulmonary artery compliance from stroke volume and pulmonary artery pulse pressure.

Clinical Significance

Estimates pulsatile pulmonary vascular load. Measurement quality and loading conditions substantially affect the result.

When to Use

• Use when the required measurements are available, reliable and clinically relevant.

How It Is Calculated

• PAC = stroke volume / (PASP − PADP).

Interpretation

• Estimates pulsatile pulmonary vascular load. Measurement quality and loading conditions substantially affect the result.

Worked Example

Enter valid values in the displayed units. MedicalC then applies: PAC = stroke volume / (PASP − PADP).

Limitations

• The result does not establish a diagnosis or mandate treatment.
• Measurement error may be more important than arithmetic precision.
• Published thresholds may differ between populations and settings.

Clinical Pearls

• Document the source values and units with the final result.
• Review trends rather than isolated values where appropriate.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong unit.
• Combining values from different time points.
• Applying the result outside the intended measurement or clinical context.

References

1. Mahapatra S et al. Relationship of pulmonary arterial capacitance and mortality in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006. — Primary, supporting or authoritative reference for the implemented relationship.