Waveforms by location of the pulmonary artery (PA) catheter tip

Tracings obtained in the right atrium or pulmonary capillary wedge position share similar morphology. The transition from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery tracing can be identified by the increase in diastolic pressure and the presence of a dicrotic notch. The diastolic "step-up" results from the transducer crossing the pulmonic valve; the dicrotic notch reflects closing of the pulmonic valve.