What is a key characteristic of pulmonary hypertension indicated on a CVP tracing?

A key characteristic of pulmonary hypertension indicated on a central venous pressure (CVP) tracing is the presence of cannon A waves. These waves occur due to the disassociation between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction, often seen in conditions where there is increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation.

In pulmonary hypertension, the right atrium may contract against a closed tricuspid valve or face other challenges that disrupt the normal sequence of heart contractions. This results in the atria contracting while the ventricles are not accepting the blood flow, which manifests as these pronounced cannon A waves, indicative of increased right atrial pressure and poor compliance of the ventricle.

The absence of other features that may appear on a CVP tracing, such as large V waves or consistent low pressures, further delineates the presence of pulmonary hypertension, allowing healthcare providers to distinguish it effectively in clinical assessments.