High pressures caused by cardiac tamponade and left ventricular failure result in large a and what other type of wave on a PAOP waveform?

The presence of high pressures due to cardiac tamponade and left ventricular failure leads to notable changes in the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) waveform. In this context, the formation of large "a" waves is connected to increased right atrial pressure during contraction, resulting from factors such as increased ventricular filling pressures or resistance to filling.

The "v" waves appear in circumstances where there is increased volume in the right atrium, typically due to the backflow of blood from the ventricles during diastole. In conditions like cardiac tamponade, where filling of the heart is restricted, there is typically an increase in venous pressure, which manifests as pronounced "v" waves on the PAOP waveform. These waves indicate that the right atrium is under elevated pressure and experiencing increased volume, often as a response to the heart's impaired ability to accommodate blood flow. Thus, large "v" waves alongside the "a" waves are indicative of compromised cardiac function due to high pressures.

In summary, the significant presence of "v" waves, in conjunction with the well-documented "a" waves, reflects the impact of cardiac conditions that elevate pressures within the heart chambers and the surrounding vasculature.