PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and failure rates of automatically collected oscillometric ankle systolic pressures (Psys) and pulse volumes (Pvol) using a new algorithm as compared with Psys obtained by standard manual Doppler-and-cuff technique. METHODS: One hundred ten consecutive patients at a vascular laboratory had brachial and ankle Psys measured with the two methods. Pvol at or near the mean arterial pressure was also obtained automatically by the oscillometric device. RESULTS: Both methods showed a 6.6% failure rate when measuring Psys at the ankle. Oscillometric Psys measurement was possible when Doppler Psys failed as a result of nonoccluding arteries. No difference was found between the two methods in occluding limbs with ankle-brachial indexes of 1.30 or more. Sequential brachial Psys values had a mean difference (Doppler-oscillometric) or 2 +/- 10.9 mm Hg and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.92. Measurements at the ankle had a mean difference of -8.4 +/- 16.8 mm Hg and r = 0.90. These differences were not statistically significant. Mean arterial pressure Pvol recorded at the ankle also correlated with ankle Doppler Psys (r = 0.71) and showed a 1.9% failure rate. CONCLUSION: Both automatic oscillometric plethysmographic Psys and Pvol at the ankle are shown to correlate well with Doppler-and-cuff Psys in patients with vascular disease. Oscillometric measurements can replace Doppler measurements in most clinical situations.
PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and failure rates of automatically collected oscillometric ankle systolic pressures (Psys) and pulse volumes (Pvol) using a new algorithm as compared with Psys obtained by standard manual Doppler-and-cuff technique. METHODS: One hundred ten consecutive patients at a vascular laboratory had brachial and ankle Psys measured with the two methods. Pvol at or near the mean arterial pressure was also obtained automatically by the oscillometric device. RESULTS: Both methods showed a 6.6% failure rate when measuring Psys at the ankle. Oscillometric Psys measurement was possible when Doppler Psys failed as a result of nonoccluding arteries. No difference was found between the two methods in occluding limbs with ankle-brachial indexes of 1.30 or more. Sequential brachial Psys values had a mean difference (Doppler-oscillometric) or 2 +/- 10.9 mm Hg and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.92. Measurements at the ankle had a mean difference of -8.4 +/- 16.8 mm Hg and r = 0.90. These differences were not statistically significant. Mean arterial pressure Pvol recorded at the ankle also correlated with ankle Doppler Psys (r = 0.71) and showed a 1.9% failure rate. CONCLUSION: Both automatic oscillometric plethysmographic Psys and Pvol at the ankle are shown to correlate well with Doppler-and-cuff Psys in patients with vascular disease. Oscillometric measurements can replace Doppler measurements in most clinical situations.