What is Systemic Vascular Resistance?

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) is the resistance offered by the systemic circulation. A decrease in SVR  will result in an increased blood flow to tissues and an increased venous flow back to the heart. An increased SVR will decrease blood flow to tissues and decrease venous flow back to the heart.

How To Calculate Systemic Vascular Resistance – SVR

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) calculation = 80 x (MAP – CVP)/CO. SVR can be calculated if cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and central venous pressure (CVP) are known. Multiply by 80 for the conversion from Wood units (mmHg/l/min) to Metric (dynes/sec/cm-5).

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP):

mmHg

Central Venous Pressure (CVP):

mmHg

Cardiac Output (CO):

l/min

Calculate / Reset

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR):

dynes•sec•cm-5

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) is the resistance in the circulatory system that is used to create blood pressure, the flow of blood and is also a component of cardiac function. Normal SVR = 800 – 1600 dynes•sec•cm-5. Pulmonary Vascular resistance (PVR) is the resistance to flow that must be overcome to push blood through the pulmonary vascular. Normal PVR = 100 – 200 dynes•sec•cm-5.