Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) as a function of cardiac output (Q) at two different levels of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) as a function of cardiac output (Q) at two different levels of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Increasing distensibility (α) decreases Ppa at any given level of Q. Thus pulmonary vascular distensibility results in a Ppa that is less than the one predicted by a linear model, which is the PVR equation. Robert Naeije et al. Eur Respir J 2013;41:217-223 ©2013 by European Respiratory Society