pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP), the pressure produced by an inflated latex balloon against the inner wall of a pulmonary artery. A pulmonary artery catheter or similar balloon-tipped catheter is inserted through a subclavian, jugular, or femoral vein to the vena cava and on through the right atrium and ventricle to the pulmonary artery. The balloon is inflated briefly, during which time it measures left ventricular diastolic pressure. The procedure is used in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and other conditions. Also called pulmonary artery wedge pressure.
