Bilateral simultaneous indirect systolic blood pressure measurements.

An apparatus was used for measuring bilateral simultaneous indirect blood pressure in two groups of subjects. Interconnected cuffs were positioned around the arms and Doppler probes placed over each brachial artery to identify systolic pressure. In the first group of 52 subjects an observer listened simultaneously to both Doppler outputs. Cuff deflation followed American Heart Association recommendations (2-3 mm Hg X s-1). In the second group of 68 subjects Doppler output and cuff pressure were recorded and cuff deflation was slower. In the first group, 37% of subjects had a difference in pressure in the arms of greater than or equal to 6 mm Hg and 13% of greater than or equal to 11 mm Hg. In the second group there was no statistically significant difference between the pressures, with only 6% differing by greater than or equal to 6 mm Hg, the greatest difference being 9 mm Hg. It is concluded that study methods may have contributed to the large differences reported previously.