METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES OF MODELLING OF THE MEAN ARTERIAL PRESSURE

Abstract

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) is an important hemodynamic indicator, and a critical parameter for the diagnosis and management of various medical conditions, such as hypertension, heart failure, and shock. Maintaining adequate MAP is essential for the prevention of end-organ damage and the optimization of tissue perfusion. The target MAP varies depending on the patient's condition and comorbidities. Accurate measurement of MAP and the understanding of the factors that affect its value are essential for the optimal management of patients. In clinical practice it is widely used to measure MAP indirectly by means of sphygmomanometer, which measures the systolic and diastolic blood pressures on the base of which MAP is finally computed. Being a theoretical construct MAP needs to be modelled and represented in practically convenient, and desirably universal way. The most commonly used formula to calculate MAP is following: MAP = diastolic pressure + 1/3 (systolic pressure – diastolic pressure). Strange as it may seem, but in academic literature and scientific papers there is a little said for justification of the given formula and its alternatives with respect to physical meaning, mathematical and physiological assumptions and restrictions in its modelling. The present report is due to discuss some methodological aspects of the issue. The above given considerations say that the problem of modelling MAP has its specific methodological and semantic problems which are still in issue.