Skip to content
prognia.

Cardiology

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

3 inputsCardiology

Right heart afterload from PA pressure and CO.

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance calculator

Result

128dyn·s/cm⁵

Normal (< 3 WU / 240 dyn·s/cm⁵)

1 Wood Unit = 80 dyn·s/cm⁵. Normal PVR < 3 WU. PVR >5 WU is a relative contraindication to heart transplantation.

10 to 80 mmHg

2 to 30 mmHg

1 to 15 L/min

How to use it

  1. 1

    Right heart catheterisation. Gold standard: measure mPAP and PCWP via PA catheter; CO by thermodilution or Fick.

  2. 2

    Calculate. PVR = (mPAP − PCWP) ÷ CO × 80 (dyn·s/cm⁵) or ÷ CO (Wood Units).

  3. 3

    Test reversibility. If PVR >5 WU: vasodilator challenge with NO or iloprost. PVR reduction >20% = reversible PH.

When to use it

Pulmonary hypertension evaluation
Classifies as pre-capillary (high PVR, normal PCWP) vs. post-capillary (normal PVR, high PCWP).
Heart transplant candidacy
PVR >5 WU (irreversible) is a contraindication. Reversible PH with vasodilators can be acceptable.
Congenital heart disease
PVR/SVR ratio guides operability (Eisenmenger syndrome when ratio >0.7).

A reference for clinicians and students, not medical advice. A score supports a decision; it does not make one. Check every result against the patient in front of you and your local protocol.

At a glance

Specialty
Cardiology
Inputs
3
Type
Formula

The same calculators, next to your cards.

Ward has all 135 clinical calculators in 18 specialties, word for word the ones Suture uses. One free account for Ward, Suture, Osler and Prognia.