Can We Calculate Mean Arterial Pressure in Humans?

Authors

Matthew M. Howrey, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Tiffany L. Brazile, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Bryce N. Balmain, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Andrew R. Tomlinson, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
James P. Macnamara, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Tony G. Babb, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Benjamin D. Levine, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Satyam Sarma, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Christopher M. Hearon Jr, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow
Denis J. Wakeham, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas SouthwesternFollow

Abstract

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is either measured with an oscillometric cuff and then systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures are estimated from an unknown algorithm; or SBP and DBP are measured via auscultation and MAP calculated using measures of systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), and a form-factor (FF; equation: [(SBP-DBP)*FF]+DBP). The typical FF used is 0.33 though others (0.4) have been proposed. Recent work indicates that estimation of aortic MAP via a FF leads to inaccurate values and should therefore be interpreted with caution, whether this is the case for local MAP is unknown. While the implications for hypertension (HTN) diagnosis are minimal, the calculation of local MAP is essential to the study of blood pressure regulation and exercise hemodynamics in patient populations (e.g. heart failure). PURPOSE: To compare the calculation of local MAP using catheter waveforms and a FF, against MAP derived from the pressure-time integral (PTI; i.e. average pressure across the cardiac cycle) measured via radial arterial catheterization. METHODS: We analyzed radial arterial catheter waveforms from 39 patients (Age: 71±7 years; BMI: 38.4±6.7; Female: 66%; HTN prevalence: 97%) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) at rest and during cycling exercise at 20 Watts. We compared the PTI (from the catheter waveform) with the calculation of MAP from the peak and nadir of the same waveforms (5-beat averages) using the 0.33 and 0.4 FF’s in the FF equation. RESULTS: Compared to the PTI (91±13 mmHg), resting MAP was not significantly different when calculated using the 0.33 FF (91±11 mmHg, P>0.999) but was higher when using the 0.4 FF (96±12 mmHg, PCONCLUSION:While the 0.33 FF provides an accurate assessment of MAP on average during rest and exercise in the radial artery in patients with HFpEF, the limits of agreement are large reflecting a lack of precision in measurement at an individual level. Indirect calculations of MAP via a FF may lead to inaccurate conclusions regarding the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation both at rest and during exercise testing in this population.

Recommended Citation

Howrey, Matthew M.; Brazile, Tiffany L.; Balmain, Bryce N.; Tomlinson, Andrew R.; Macnamara, James P.; Babb, Tony G.; Levine, Benjamin D.; Sarma, Satyam; Hearon, Christopher M. Jr; and Wakeham, Denis J. (2023) "Can We Calculate Mean Arterial Pressure in Humans?," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 15, Article 148.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss15/148