Measurement of Blood-pressure: Comparison of Intra-arterial and Cuff Values

Abstract

Comparison has been made between direct and indirect arterial blood-pressures in 47 subjects. Direct pressure was measured with the Hansen manometer; indirect pressure was measured by using the London School of Hygiene sphygmomanometer, which decreases observer variation. Indirect and direct blood-pressures are highly correlated. There are, however, differences between arterial and cuff blood-pressures, particularly for systolic pressure. The difference between indirect and direct blood-pressures cannot be. accounted for by arm circumference or skinfold thickness. There is some correlation between the difference between direct pressure and indirect pressure and the level of direct pressure. Arm circumference was correlated with diastolic blood-pressure. © 1964, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.