Elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in a patient with hypovolemia

Since its introduction in 1969, the balloon-tipped pulmonary artery catheter has become widely accepted. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressures have been used diagnostically to determine left ventricular preload and volume status. We report on a patient with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, secondary to a heroin overdose, who was hypovolemic and had an elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. We discuss possible explanations and present evidence that the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure does not always accurately reflect volume status.