diastolic blood is indicated to correlate better than other versions of the equation with left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid wall thickness and aortic stiffness. It is expressed: where: DBP = diastolic pressure MAP = mean arterial pressure PP = pulse pressure Young Patients For young patients with congenital heart disease a slight alteration to the factor used found to be more precise. This was written as: where: DBP = diastolic pressure MAP = mean arterial pressure PP = pulse pressure This added precision means cerebral blood flow can be more accurately maintained in uncontrolled hypertension. Neonates For neonates, because of their altered physiology, a different formula has been proposed for a more precise reading: where: DBP = diastolic pressure MAP = mean arterial pressure PP = pulse pressure It has also been suggested that when getting readings from a neonates radial arterial line, mean arterial pressure can be approximated by averaging the systolic and diastolic pressure. Other formula versions Other formulas used to estimate mean arterial pressure are: or or or MAP = mean arterial pressure PP = pulse pressure DAP = diastolic aortic pressure DPB = diastolic blood pressure Clinical significance Mean arterial pressure is a major determinant of the perfusion pressure seen by organs in the body. It is believed that a MAP that is greater than 70 mmHg is enough to sustain the organs of the average person. MAP is normally between 65 and 110 mmHg. Hypotension When assessing hypotension, the context of the patient’s baseline blood pressure needs to be considered. Acute decreases in mean arterial pressure of around 25% put patients at increased risk for end-organ damage and potential morbidity and mortality. Even 1 minute at a mean arterial pressure of 50 mmHg, or accumulative effects over short periods, increases the risk of mortality by 5% and can result in organ failure or complications. MAP may be used like systolic blood pressure in monitoring and treating target blood pressure. Both have been shown advantageous targets for sepsis, major trauma, stroke, intracranial bleed. In patients with sepsis, the vasopressor dosage may be titrated on the basis of estimated MAP. Hypertension In younger patients, elevated mean arterial pressure has been shown to be more important than pulse pressure in the prediction of stroke. However in older patients, MAP has been found to be less predictive of stroke and a better predictor of cardiovascular disease. See also Blood pressure