The Cardiovascular
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Cerebral Perfusion Pressure

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure
Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
mmHg
Intracranial pressure (ICP)
mmHg
Complete the fields above to see the result.

When to use

  • Bedside estimation of the pressure gradient driving cerebral blood flow in patients with invasive ICP monitoring (e.g. severe TBI, intracranial hemorrhage).

Formula

CPP = MAP − ICP.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Zero the arterial line transducer and ICP monitor at the same reference point (external auditory meatus, approximating the foramen of Monro) for an accurate value.
  • Guideline-recommended targets and the ischemic threshold vary with age and underlying pathology; treat the number in clinical context.

References

  1. Rosner MJ, Rosner SD, Johnson AH. Cerebral perfusion pressure: management protocol and clinical results. J Neurosurg. 1995;83(6):949-962.