CPP Calculation Practice - Monroe-Kellie Doctrine
Important Information
What is CPP? Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) is the pressure required to ensure adequate blood flow to the brain. Calculating CPP helps assess the risk of brain ischemia and brain herniation.
Formula: CPP = MAP - ICP
Why It Matters: Low CPP can lead to brain ischemia, while high ICP can indicate severe brain injury.
Normal Range: A typical CPP range is 60-80 mmHg. Values ≥60 mmHg are generally acceptable.
How to Use This Tool - Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Find a blood pressure reading. Look for a blood pressure value that has two numbers, like 120/80. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure.
Step 2: Enter the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Type the systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) into the fields that say “Enter Systolic Blood Pressure” and “Enter Diastolic Blood Pressure.” This will help us calculate the MAP, which tells us about the blood pressure reaching the brain.
Step 3: Look at the MAP value. Once you enter the systolic and diastolic values, the tool will calculate the MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure) for you. The MAP is an average pressure that helps show how well blood is flowing to the brain.
Step 4: Enter the ICP value. ICP stands for Intracranial Pressure, which is the pressure inside the brain. Normal ICP is usually between 0 and 15 mmHg. If you know the ICP, enter it into the “Enter ICP” box.
Step 5: Press “Calculate CPP.” This button will do the math for you to find the CPP (Cerebral Perfusion Pressure). CPP is important because it shows how much blood is getting to the brain. Without enough blood, the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, which can be dangerous.
Step 6: Look at the CPP results. The tool will tell you if the CPP is normal, low, or high. Here’s what each result means:
- Normal CPP (60-80 mmHg): Blood is flowing well to the brain. No action is needed, but keep checking the values.
- Low CPP (under 60 mmHg): This means the brain isn’t getting enough blood. You might need to give fluids, raise blood pressure, or lower the ICP to help the brain get more blood.
- High CPP (above 80 mmHg): This can mean that the ICP is high. Lowering the ICP might help, such as by giving medicines to reduce swelling.
Step 7: Use the suggestions. If the CPP is low or high, follow the suggestions provided by the tool to improve brain blood flow. Remember to position the head at a slight angle, use fluids or medicines if needed, and keep monitoring the CPP.
When you’re ready to try new numbers, press the red “Start Over” button to clear the fields and begin again.
