Help understanding M.A.P's please

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Can anyone please help me understand the significance about Mean Arterial Pressures? When they narrow and widen etc... what does it mean? How many times does it happen before you worry? When there is no Art line how many repeats do you wait for.

Thanks.

[CardioTrans, BSN, RN]

MAP's indicate the perfusion pressure throughout the cardiac cycle. You want a MAP > than 60. It takes at least 60mmHg to perfuse the coronary arteries, the brain and kidneys.

If the heart is decreasing its output that is when you will see the diastolic and systolic pressures narrowing. The MAP, however, may stay the same. The diastolic and systolic pressure will narrow due to vasoconstriction to help maintain a blood pressure.

You really have to look at the patient. Are they symptomatic, ie: is their extremities cool to the touch, are they tachycardic, how are their peripheral pulses. You really want to look at the whole patient and the trend of the MAP. Over the last couple of hours has their BP changed, as well as their MAP and their symptoms. At the same time, troubleshoot the equipment, if there is an art line, check for air bubbles, your waveform, check the patient.

If using a BP cuff with no art line, watch the trends, check the BP more frequently to catch the suttle changes, and check the patient. Sometimes the monitors and equipment can tell you one thing, and the patient shows you something totally different.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Cardiotrans thank you for the thoughtfully put together and uncomplicated answer! Sometimes its the way info is presented that makes the difference.

[CardioTrans, BSN, RN]

You are most welcome! Glad I could help.

[brattyone]

cardiotrans what a wonderful explanation! thanks:yelclap: