Mean arterial pressure: therapeutic goals and pharmacologic support

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign targets central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, and central venous oxygen saturation as guides for resuscitation. Fluid resuscitation and the use of vasopressors are paramount to the success of the campaign's end points. Although the achievement of supranormal physiologic parameters has been associated with higher mortality in some studies, these slightly higher blood pressures may enable better oxygen delivery, in some observations. This article focuses on the mean arterial pressure goals during sepsis, the measurement of the mean arterial pressure, and the manipulation of this target with volume resuscitation and pharmacologic interventions.