The Cardiovascular
ToolsCalculators

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure

Net pressure gradient driving cerebral blood flow.

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.