End-Diastolic Pressure (EDP): Definition, Normal Range & Clinical Significance

End-diastolic pressure (EDP) is the pressure within the ventricles at the end of diastole, when the heart muscle is fully relaxed and the chambers are filled with blood just before contraction (systole) begins. It represents the lowest pressure in the ventricular chamber during the cardiac cycle.

Normal Values

• Left Ventricular EDP (LVEDP): Typically 5–12 mmHg (often approximated by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure).
• Right Ventricular EDP (RVEDP): Typically 0–8 mmHg.

Physiological Significance

EDP reflects ventricular compliance (stiffness) and preload (the volume of blood stretching the ventricle before contraction). A normal EDP indicates that the ventricle is compliant and filling adequately without excessive pressure.

Clinical Implications of Elevated EDP

• Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF): Stiff ventricle → high filling pressures → pulmonary congestion.
• Volume Overload: Mitral/aortic regurgitation, renal failure.
• Cardiac Tamponade / Constrictive Pericarditis: Impaired filling.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Reduced compliance.

EDP is measured invasively via cardiac catheterization or estimated non-invasively via echocardiography (E/e' ratio). It is a critical parameter for diagnosing diastolic dysfunction and guiding heart failure management.