Cerebral Perfusion Pressure
Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is the measurement
of blood flow to the brain6 and is important
because it gives an indication of the potential for
ischemic injury to the brain. Cerebral perfusion
pressure is a calculation of the mean arterial pressure
(MAP) minus the ICP. Normal CPP is
70 mmHg to 90 mmHg.5 Although a person can
survive with a CPP of slightly less than 70 mmHg,
ischemic injury to the brain will occur after a prolonged
period of decreased CPP.4 Intracranial
April 2010 Vol 91 No 4 INOUE
512 AORN Journal
pressure is important to CPP
because, when ICP increases,
CPP decreases and
can therefore cause secondary
injury to the brain.