Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) Calculator
Calculate Mean Arterial Pressure from systolic and diastolic BP. The key perfusion metric in sepsis, shock, neurocritical care, and anaesthesia — guides vasopressor titration.
Enter valid SBP and DBP (DBP must be less than SBP) to calculate MAP.
MAP trends across every BP reading
EasyClinic computes MAP and pulse pressure from each vital entry and graphs trends over time — instant flagging when MAP drifts below your patient-specific target.
Also Known As
What is Mean Arterial Pressure?
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the average pressure in the arteries during a single cardiac cycle. Because diastole is longer than systole, MAP is weighted toward DBP — hence the formula MAP = (SBP + 2×DBP) / 3.
MAP is the driver of organ perfusion. Most vascular beds (kidney, brain, gut) autoregulate flow over a MAP range of roughly 60–150 mmHg; below 60, perfusion becomes pressure-dependent and ischaemia occurs.
Target MAP by Clinical Scenario
- Septic shock: ≥ 65 mmHg (Surviving Sepsis 2021). Higher (75–85) only if chronic hypertension and AKI risk (SEPSISPAM).
- Cardiogenic shock: ≥ 65 mmHg, often higher to maintain coronary perfusion.
- Severe TBI: MAP to maintain CPP 60–70 mmHg (CPP = MAP − ICP). Typically MAP > 80.
- Acute ischaemic stroke (not for tPA): permissive HTN; treat only if > 220/120.
- Spinal cord injury (acute): MAP 85–90 mmHg for 7 days.
- General anaesthesia: avoid MAP < 65 mmHg for > 10 minutes (assoc. with AKI, MI, mortality).
MAP Components and Related Metrics
- Pulse Pressure (SBP − DBP): Normal 30–50 mmHg. Wide PP → aortic regurg, AV fistula, thyrotoxicosis. Narrow PP → cardiogenic shock, tamponade, severe AS.
- Shock Index (HR / SBP): > 0.9 suggests occult shock — useful with MAP for early sepsis triage.
- CPP (Cerebral Perfusion Pressure): MAP − ICP. Maintain 60–70 in TBI.
When the cuff MAP misleads
- Arrhythmia / atrial fibrillation: beat-to-beat variability — average several readings.
- Severe vasoconstriction (cold shock): NIBP overestimates MAP — use arterial line.
- Calcified vessels (elderly, ESRD): pseudohypertension possible.
- Obesity / wrong cuff size: undersized cuff overestimates BP.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸Why is MAP weighted toward diastolic BP?
Because diastole occupies roughly two-thirds of the cardiac cycle at normal heart rates. The formula (SBP + 2×DBP)/3 is a clinical approximation that assumes HR 60–100. At very high HR (sepsis tachycardia), the true MAP is closer to the arithmetic mean — use an arterial line for accuracy.
▸Is MAP ≥ 65 mmHg always the right sepsis target?
No. The SEPSISPAM and 65 trial showed that for most septic shock patients, MAP 65 is non-inferior to higher targets — but for chronic hypertensives or AKI patients, higher MAP (75–85) reduces RRT need. Individualise. ISCCM India guidelines mirror Surviving Sepsis.
▸How do I calculate CPP for a head-injured patient?
CPP = MAP − ICP. Target CPP 60–70 mmHg per Brain Trauma Foundation. If ICP is 20 and you want CPP 65, you need MAP 85. Use noradrenaline if needed, avoid excessive fluid loading.
▸Does the formula work for children?
It is widely used in paediatrics but pediatric MAP targets differ by age: roughly 5th percentile MAP = 55 + (1.5 × age in years). Neonatal MAP target = gestational age in weeks (post-conceptual).
▸What vasopressor to start in septic shock with MAP < 65?
Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is first-line per Surviving Sepsis 2021 and ISCCM. Add vasopressin 0.03 U/min if MAP target not met on noradrenaline 0.25–0.5 mcg/kg/min. Add adrenaline if still inadequate. Indian brands: Adrenor, Noradrenaline-Neon, Vasopressin-Sun.
References
- Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021
- Asfar P et al. High versus low blood-pressure target in patients with septic shock (SEPSISPAM). NEJM 2014;370(17):1583-93
- Lamontagne F et al. Higher versus Lower Blood Pressure Targets for Vasopressor Therapy in Shock (65 trial). JAMA 2020
- Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines for the Management of Severe TBI 2017
- Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) Consensus on Sepsis Management
Hemodynamics, automatically tracked
EasyClinic auto-calculates MAP from every BP entry, flags MAP < 65 in tagged sepsis patients, and trends pulse pressure / shock index — all inside the chart.
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