Automated blood pressure measurement in routine clinical practice

Objective To compare blood pressure measurements taken in routine clinical practice using an automated recorder, the BpTRU (VSM MedTech Ltd, Coquitlam, Canada), with readings taken by a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer. Methods Fifty consecutive patients [28 women, 22 men; mean (+/- SD) age 62 +/- 16 years] referred to a specialist for management of hypertension had blood pressure taken on the first visit in random order using both a mercury sphygmomanometer and an automated device. Results The mean initial automated reading (mmHg) taken with the observer present (162 +/- 27/85 +/- 12) was similar to the mean manual blood pressure taken in duplicate (1163 +/- 23/86 +/- 12). Both values were higher (P< 0.001) than the mean of the next five readings taken with the automated recorder when the patient was resting quietly alone (142 +/- 21/80 +/- 12). Women exhibited a greater fall in blood pressure with the automated device than men. Conclusions Use of an automated blood pressure recorder can eliminate some of the white-coat effect associated with readings taken by a mercury sphygmomanometer.