Overview :

As blood flows through the vasculature, it encounters resistance to flow. This is one of the contributing factors to blood pressure.

systemic vascular resistance =

= (mean arterial pressure) - (mean right atrial pressure)) * (80 / (cardiac output))

pulmonary vascular resistance =

= ((mean pulmonary arterial pressure) - (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure)) * (80 / (cardiac output))

Interpretation

• normal systemic vascular resistance: 800 - 1200 dynes per sec per cm^(-5)

• normal pulmonary vascular resistance: 120 - 250 dynes per sec per cm^(-5)

Berkow R, Fletcher AJ, et al. The Merck Manual, 16th edition. 1992. pages 400-403.

Brobeck JR. Best and Taylor's Physiological Basis of Medical Practice, 9th edition. Williams and Wilkins Company. 1973. pages 3-148 to 3-206.

Ewald G, McKenzie C (editors). Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th edition. Little, Brown and Company. 1995. pages 577-578

Schroeder JS, Daily EK. Techniques in besdie hemodynamic monitoring. CV Mosby Company. 1976.