Right atrial pressure (RAP) is theblood pressure in theright atrium of theheart. RAP reflects the amount ofblood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump the blood into thearterial system. RAP is often nearly identical tocentral venous pressure (CVP),[1] although the two terms are not identical, as a pressure differential can sometimes exist between thevenae cavae and the right atrium. CVP and RAP can differ when venous tone (i.e the degree of venous constriction) is altered. This can be graphically depicted as changes in the slope of thevenous return plotted againstright atrial pressure (where central venous pressure increases, but right atrial pressure stays the same; VR = CVP − RAP).
Factors that increase RAP include:[citation needed]
Factors that decrease RAP include:[citation needed]