Differences in mean arterial pressure of young and elderly people measured by oscilometry during inflation and deflation of the arm cuff.

Systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) is one of the most important parameters of the cardiovascular system. An oscillometric NIBP monitor was specifically designed to measure oscillometric pulsations and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during inflation and deflation of the cuff. Nineteen healthy young (age 23.1±1.7 years; mean±SD) and 35 elderly (83.9±7.9 years; mean±SD) subjects were studied. Differential analysis of MAP during inflation and deflation show mean |ΔMAP|=2.9±2.6 mm Hg in the young group (mean±SD) and |ΔMAP|=6.3±5.2 mm Hg for seniors (mean±SD). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in means of |ΔMAP| measured during cuff inflation and cuff deflation between both groups. In about 50% of elderly subjects |ΔMAP| was higher than 5 mm Hg. Potential clinical relevance of the method needs to be further evaluated.