Large V waves in the pulmonary capillary wedge curves.

What is it about?

The compliance of the left atrium/pulmonary veins decreased with increasing pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. With large filling volumes, a small stroke volume brings on a large pressure change, thus explaining the finding of large V waves in patients without mitral regurgitation.

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Why is it important?

Reduced left atrial compliance is a hemodynamic hallmark of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.