Can you help me with 'pulse pressure' please?

[mandana]

Hi folks -

I'm trying to really understand the significance of pulse pressure, but my text books are severely lacking information and I'm having a tough time finding what I want to know online. I'll tell you what I know (or rather, what I think I know!) and hopefully, those more knowledgable will be able to fill in the gaps.

I know what pulse pressure is (difference between systolic/diastolic)

I know that 40 is ideal - but is there a range of OK?

I know that a widening pulse pressure can be indicative of increased ICP.

I know that a narrow pulse pressure often occurs with shock - but what's narrow?

I know that pulse pressures over 60 often indicate increased SVR, but is there a number that would really make you panic?

Thanks in advance. For some reason, I have a really tough time with all things cardiac, but of course, I love all things cardiac!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

BP (especially pulse pressure) is one of those things where it's pretty difficult to make too many determinations based on one reading. Along the same lines, I'm not sure if anyone can really say, for example, that a pulse pressure of 30 or 40 is fine but a pulse pressure of 25 is bad.

What you have to do is watch a trend over a period of time. If your patient has a pulse pressure of 20 and it's been consistent, probably not a big deal. If it's 20 now but it was 50, 40, 35, 30, then 20, all in succession, your index of suspicion should go up for things like cardiac tamponade.

[mandana]

That helps, thanks!

Amanda

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello, mandana,

excellent link from fpnotebook: http://www.fpnotebook.com/sample/cv89.htm

[mandana]

Thanks, Siri. That site gives a range of 30-40, which seems pretty narrow. It helps. I'll still take more thoughts on this if anyone cares to offer them up!

Amanda