A single set of triplicate measurements using Microlife WatchBP is an acceptable method for evaluating IAD
A new article publlished in Blood Pressure Monitoring (February 2017) by Danish Diabetes Academy PhD student Christoffer Krogager, evaluates the usefulness of Microlife WatchBP Office and the effect of increasing the number of measurements in the clinical evaluation of systolic interarm difference (IAD)
BILATERAL BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED
Blood pressure is an important risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Therefore treatment of hypertension is important. Correct measurement technique is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Current guidelines recommend bilateral blood pressure measurements at the initial visit, and to use the arm with the highest pressure for future measurements higher pressure if the difference in blood pressure between arms exceeds 10mmHg.
MEASUREMENT OF THREE BLOOD PRESSURES SIMULTANEOUSLY
"In the study we tested a device (Micolife BP office) capable of measuring three blood pressures simultaneously in both arms in one sequence. We wanted to evaluate if the chance of detecting a blood pressure difference between arms increased with increasing number of measurements", says Christoffer Krogager.
PREVALENCE OF INTERARM BLOOD PRESSURE DIFFERENCE
They measured blood pressure in 339 patients and found a prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure difference of 10mmHg or more to be 9.1%. The chance of detecting of difference of 10mmHg did not increase with increasing number of measurements.
AN EASY APPROACH TO DETERMINE IF A CERTAIN ARM SHOULD BE USED FOR FUTURE MEASUREMENTS
According to Christoffer Krogager, the study has shown that the device they tested is capable of detecting an inter-arm difference in blood pressure. It is an easy approach to determine if a certain arm should be used for future measurements. "With this study we hope to convince clinicians to follow the current blood pressure guidelines to improve detection and treatment of hypertension", Christoffer Krogager concludes.
AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS
Krogager C1, Laugesen E, Rossen NB, Poulsen PL, Erlandsen M, Hansen KW
1aDepartment of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital
1bDepartment of Clinical Medicine
1cSection for Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus
1dDiagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg
1eDanish Diabetes Academy, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
Source: Blood Pressure Monitoring