# Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Calculator (PVR)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/pvr/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The PVR calculator works out pulmonary vascular resistance in Wood units and dyn·s·cm⁻⁵ from mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output, and also gives systemic vascular resistance.

## Inputs

- Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mmHg)
- Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (mmHg)
- Cardiac output (L/min)
- Mean arterial pressure (mmHg)
- Central venous pressure (mmHg)

## Results

- PVR
- PVR in dyn·s·cm⁻⁵
- Transpulmonary gradient
- Systemic vascular resistance

## Formula

```
PVR (Wood units) = (mPAP − PCWP) ÷ CO
PVR (dyn·s·cm⁻⁵) = Wood units × 80
SVR = (MAP − CVP) ÷ CO × 80
```

## Explanation

PVR measures how hard the right heart must work to push blood through the lungs. A PVR above 2 Wood units with a mean pulmonary pressure above 20 mmHg defines pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (2022 ESC/ERS guideline).

### How to use the Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Calculator

- **Mean pulmonary artery pressure**
- **Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure**
- **Cardiac output**
- **Mean arterial pressure**
- **Central venous pressure**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the values from a right heart catheterisation.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMean pulmonary artery pressureIn mmHgPulmonary capillary wedge pressureIn mmHgCardiac outputIn L/minMean arterial pressureIn mmHgCentral venous pressureIn mmHg

### What each result means

- **PVR** = ([Mean pulmonary artery pressure] - [Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure])÷[Cardiac output]
- **PVR in dyn·s·cm⁻⁵** = [PVR]×80
- **Transpulmonary gradient** = [Mean pulmonary artery pressure] - [Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure]
- **Systemic vascular resistance** = ([Mean arterial pressure] - [Central venous pressure])÷[Cardiac output]×80

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Mean pulmonary artery pressure** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mmHg)PVR (Wood units)12.50.118.751.35252.631.253.8537.55.1507.6
*Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.*

## Worked example

Inputs — Mean pulmonary artery pressure: 25 mmHg; Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: 12 mmHg; Cardiac output: 5 L/min; Mean arterial pressure: 90 mmHg; Central venous pressure: 6 mmHg.

Results — **PVR = 2.6 Wood units**; PVR in dyn·s·cm⁻⁵ = 208; Transpulmonary gradient = 13 mmHg; Systemic vascular resistance = 1,344 dyn·s·cm⁻⁵.

## Key terms

- **PVR**: Pulmonary vascular resistance.
- **PCWP**: Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.
- **Wood unit**: mmHg·min/L.

## FAQ

**What is a normal PVR?**
Up to 2 Wood units (160 dyn·s·cm⁻⁵).

**What is pulmonary hypertension?**
A mean pulmonary artery pressure above 20 mmHg at rest.

**What is a normal SVR?**
About 800–1,200 dyn·s·cm⁻⁵.


## Sources

- [Humbert M et al. 2022 ESC/ERS guidelines for pulmonary hypertension. Eur Heart J, 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017548/)