9.5 Monitoring and targeting mean arterial pressure

Published 06/06/2024

Best practice

Standards are set according to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign for the septic patient, where a MAP 65 mmHg or above is recommended,2 although supplementary fine tuning for individual patients may include surrogate assessment of end-organ perfusion such as determination of a threshold MAP for maintaining urine output.

Standards for traumatic brain injury according to the Brain Trauma Foundation are systolic blood pressure 100 mmHg or above for patients 50-69 years of age or at 110 mmHg or above for patients 15-49 years or over 70 years.5

Currently, best evidence recommends:

  • Septic patients on inotropes should have a MAP 65 mmHg or above within two hours of admission to ICU.
  • Septic patients on inotropes should maintain a MAP of 65-75 mmHg during their stay on ICU.
  • Patients should have a recorded targeted MAP in their twice-daily reviews.