RETROGRADE TRANSPULMONARY PROPAGATION OF GIANT A WAVES IN AORTIC STENOSIS AND PRIMARY MYOCARDIAL DISEASE

Giant a waves were demonstrated in the pulmonary artery and left ventricle in 4 patients with primary myocardial disease and 1 patient with aortic stenosis and insufficiency. The peak pressure of this left atrial a wave was greater than the diastolic pressure in either the pulmonary artery or the left ventricle. The hemodynamic data strongly suggest that retrograde transmission of the left atrial a wave may occur across the pulmonary arteriolar bed. Temporary retrograde flow should be expected in this situation. © 1968.