What is the normal right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in a healthy pregnant woman without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions?

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Normal Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure in Pregnancy

The provided evidence does not contain specific reference ranges for normal right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in healthy pregnant women. Based on the available evidence, I cannot provide guideline-based normal RVSP values for pregnancy, as the guidelines focus on systemic blood pressure management rather than pulmonary hemodynamics.

What the Evidence Shows

Absence of Pregnancy-Specific RVSP Guidelines

  • The ESC cardiovascular disease in pregnancy guidelines 1 extensively address systemic hypertension definitions and management but do not establish normal RVSP reference ranges for pregnancy 1
  • The available research focuses on systemic blood pressure trajectories throughout gestation rather than right heart pressures 2, 3

Single Case Report Context

  • One case report describes a pregnant woman with severe primary pulmonary hypertension who had an RVSP of 125 mmHg at 32 weeks gestation, which was clearly pathological and required intensive management 4
  • This case illustrates severe pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy but does not establish normal values 4

Clinical Implications

General Medicine Knowledge Application

In non-pregnant adults, normal RVSP is typically <35-40 mmHg, and this baseline likely applies to healthy pregnant women without cardiovascular disease, though pregnancy-induced physiological changes may cause mild elevations.

Physiological Considerations in Pregnancy

  • Pregnancy causes significant cardiovascular adaptations including increased cardiac output, blood volume expansion, and decreased systemic vascular resistance 2, 3
  • These changes affect systemic blood pressure with documented gestational-age-specific patterns, but corresponding RVSP data are not established in the provided guidelines 2, 3

When to Suspect Abnormal RVSP

  • Any significantly elevated RVSP (>40-50 mmHg) in pregnancy warrants investigation for pulmonary hypertension, which carries high maternal mortality risk 4
  • Symptoms suggesting elevated right heart pressures (dyspnea, edema beyond normal pregnancy changes, signs of right heart failure) require echocardiographic evaluation 4

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Primary pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy: A case report.

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association, 2013

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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