10.3 USE OF MICROLIFE BP WATCH IS A FEASIBLE APPROACH TO DETERMINE INTER-ARM BLOOD PRESSURE DIFFERENCES IN A CLINICAL SETTING

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of Microlife Watch BP for measuring bilateral blood pressure (BP) in a clinical setting. Method: 339 patients (85% diabetic) scheduled for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at the outpatient clinic for endocrinology, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, were examined with simultaneously bilateral BP measurements. A fully automatic, oscillometric device was used and two successive measurements were made. Results: 9,1% of the patients had a clinically significant inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD) of ≥10mmHg in the first set of measurements. Mean IAD in the first measurement was -0,3mmHg 6.6. Twenty-three patients had a normal IAD in the first set of measurements but IAD ≥10mmHg in the second set of measurements. Only one of the patients with an IAD ≥10mmHg had a change in the arm with the highest blood pressure. The 95 % Limits of Agreement (LoA) for the mean interarm difference for a single measurement was 13.2 mmHg. Conclusion: Microlife WatchBP measurement is a feasible method to determine IAD in a clinical setting. Bilateral BP measurements should be performed at first visit to help the clinician choose the right arm for further BP evaluations.