Blood pressure measurements in research: suitability of auscultatory, beat-to-beat, and ambulatory blood pressure measurements. Issue 1 (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carlson, Debra J.; Dieberg, Gudrun; Mcfarlane, James R.; Smart, Neil A.
• Is Part Of: Blood pressure monitoring. Volume 24:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: ambulatory -- auscultatory -- beat-to-beat -- blood pressure; Blood pressure -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Blood Pressure Determination -- Periodicals; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory -- Periodicals; Blood Pressure Monitors -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 612.140287
• DOI: 10.1097/MBP.0000000000000355
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-5237

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The objective of this study was to validate the accuracy of beat-to-beat measurements with those taken with an aneroid sphygmomanometer by auscultatory method. A secondary aim was to explore differences between auscultatory and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) with daytime ambulatory BP measurements. Participants and methods: A total of 46 participants, comprising 21 males, aged 47±13 years, height 171±8.5 cm and weight 82±16.8 kg attended the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the University of New England (Armidale, New South Wales, Australia). During the visit, participants had their BP – systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) – measured using auscultatory methods and a Finometer. An ambulatory BP monitor was fitted during the same visit and worn for a minimum of 12 h. Results: Auscultatory measurements were slightly higher than beat-to-beat for both SBP and DBP. There was no difference between auscultatory and beat-to-beat SBP with a mean difference of 0.23 mmHg ( P =0.87). There were disparities between auscultatory and beat-to-beat DBP, with a mean difference of 4.82 mmHg ( P <0.01). Daytime ambulatory BP was higher than both auscultatory and beat-to-beat measurements for both SBP and DBP, with P less than 0.001 for all measures. Conclusion: There was a high level of reliability in the beat-to-beat SBP with that seen by auscultatory; however, there were disparities in DBP measurements using the same devices, which raise concerns over the accuracy of beat-to-beat DBP. Ambulatory systolic and diastolic measures were higher than beat-to-beat and auscultatory; however, they may be more suitable for monitoring diurnal changes in BP, depending upon the research model.