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Cardiac Pressure Waveform Poster

Every cath-lab pressure tracing on one visual reference — normal chambers first, then the pathology patterns the RCIS loves to test. Print it for the wall or your notes.

🩺 Reviewed by our Editorial Team⏱ 2 min read🗓 Updated July 2026
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<a href="https://rcispracticetest.com/cheat-sheets/pressure-waveform-poster.html">Cardiac Pressure Waveform Poster — RCIS Practice Test</a>

Educational use only — not medical advice. Values are standard adult references; always confirm against current guidelines and your institution’s protocols.

The a, c, and v waves

Wave / descentCause
a waveAtrial contraction
c waveTricuspid/mitral valve bulging in early systole
v waveAtrial filling against a closed AV valve
x descentAtrial relaxation
y descentRapid ventricular filling after AV valve opens

Normal waveforms (in catheter-advance order)

Normal right atrial pressure tracing with a, c, and v waves
Right atrium (RA), mean 2–6 mmHg — low-amplitude a, c, v waves.
Normal right ventricular pressure tracing
Right ventricle (RV), 15–30/2–8 mmHg — low diastolic pressure near zero.
Normal pulmonary artery pressure tracing with dicrotic notch
Pulmonary artery (PA), 15–30/8–15 mmHg — note the dicrotic notch and higher diastolic than RV.
Normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure tracing
PCWP (wedge), mean 6–12 mmHg — reflects left atrial pressure; a and v waves.
Normal left ventricular pressure tracing
Left ventricle (LV), 100–140/3–12 mmHg — high systolic, low diastolic (LVEDP).
Normal aortic pressure tracing with dicrotic notch
Aorta, 100–140/60–90 mmHg — dicrotic notch marks aortic valve closure.

Pathologic patterns to recognize

Wedge tracing with a giant v wave
Giant v wave on the wedge — classic for acute mitral regurgitation.
Ventricular tracing with a dip-and-plateau square-root sign
Dip-and-plateau ("square-root sign") — constrictive pericarditis / restriction.
Simultaneous LV and aortic tracing showing a systolic gradient
LV–aortic systolic gradient — aortic stenosis (the larger the gradient, the more severe).

Practise identifying these live in the pressure-waveform question bank, and read the full hemodynamics guide.

Train your waveform eye

Free pressure-waveform identification questions with explanations.

Practise Waveforms →

Frequently asked questions

What does a giant v wave on the wedge tracing mean?

A large v wave on the PCWP tracing is characteristic of acute mitral regurgitation, where regurgitant flow fills a non-compliant left atrium during systole.

What is the square-root sign?

A diastolic dip-and-plateau ('square-root sign') in the ventricular tracing suggests constrictive pericarditis or a restrictive process with equalized diastolic pressures.

How do you tell the PA from the RV tracing?

The pulmonary artery has a higher diastolic pressure (with a dicrotic notch), whereas the right ventricle's diastolic pressure falls toward zero.

Can I print this waveform poster?

Yes — use the 'Print / Save as PDF' button at the top. It prints the full set of labeled tracings.

Sources & further reading

External links are provided for reference; always confirm current details with the official source.

Keep going

Hemodynamic valuesHemodynamics guideSwan-Ganz catheterCardiac tamponade hemodynamicsWaveform practice
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RCIS Practice Test Editorial Team

Our content is written and reviewed by contributors with cardiovascular and allied-health backgrounds, grounded in standard references and the official CCI exam domains. Educational use only — not medical advice. See our editorial policy.