Final answer:
PCWP stands for Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure, a medical gauge reflecting the left atrial pressure, with normal values between 6 to 12 mm Hg, significant for evaluating heart function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) is a measurement that represents the pressure within the left atrium of the heart, indirectly reflecting left ventricular end-diastolic pressure under normal conditions. This is crucial for assessing left ventricular function and diagnosing certain cardiac conditions. Normal PCWP values range typically from 6 to 12 mm Hg. These measurements are invasive and usually only taken during surgery or in an intensive care setting, using a catheter that is inserted into a central vein and advanced into the pulmonary artery.