Przemysław Wołoszyn1, Ignacy Baumberg2, David Baker3. 1. Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland. Electronic address: przemo.woloszyn@gmail.com. 2. Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland. 3. SAMU de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In recent years a number of publications have appeared describing noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement with 1 layer of light cloth between the patient's skin and the NIBP cuff. In this study we investigated the reliability of NIBP measurements performed through 2 and 3 layers of autumn/winter clothing in 2 research groups: healthy volunteers and patients. METHODS: Oscillometric NIBP measurements were made in a random order: 1) on the exposed arm; 2) on the arm covered by a standardized cotton and polar fabric test sleeve; and 3) with the arm covered by a cotton-polar fabric and down jacket test sleeve. The time taken for measurement was also recorded. RESULTS: We performed measurement in 101 volunteers and 50 patients and found no clinically or statistically significant differences in NIBP. Mean±SD values in the volunteer group were 1) 130/80±14/8 mm Hg; 2) 130/81±15/8 mm Hg; and 3) 128/81±14/8 mm Hg. In the patient group the values were 1) 140/82±34/15 mm Hg; 2) 140/84±33/15 mm Hg; and 3) 137/84±32/15 mm Hg. Measuring over a sleeved arm extended the time of measurement by an average of 3.5 s in comparison with bare arm measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that it is possible to perform reliable NIBP measurements over 2 and 3 layers of autumn/winter clothing. Measuring NIBP with a clothed arm does not show clinical or statistically significant differences in comparison with measurements performed on the bare arm.
INTRODUCTION: In recent years a number of publications have appeared describing noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement with 1 layer of light cloth between the patient's skin and the NIBP cuff. In this study we investigated the reliability of NIBP measurements performed through 2 and 3 layers of autumn/winter clothing in 2 research groups: healthy volunteers and patients. METHODS: Oscillometric NIBP measurements were made in a random order: 1) on the exposed arm; 2) on the arm covered by a standardized cotton and polar fabric test sleeve; and 3) with the arm covered by a cotton-polar fabric and down jacket test sleeve. The time taken for measurement was also recorded. RESULTS: We performed measurement in 101 volunteers and 50 patients and found no clinically or statistically significant differences in NIBP. Mean±SD values in the volunteer group were 1) 130/80±14/8 mm Hg; 2) 130/81±15/8 mm Hg; and 3) 128/81±14/8 mm Hg. In the patient group the values were 1) 140/82±34/15 mm Hg; 2) 140/84±33/15 mm Hg; and 3) 137/84±32/15 mm Hg. Measuring over a sleeved arm extended the time of measurement by an average of 3.5 s in comparison with bare arm measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that it is possible to perform reliable NIBP measurements over 2 and 3 layers of autumn/winter clothing. Measuring NIBP with a clothed arm does not show clinical or statistically significant differences in comparison with measurements performed on the bare arm.