Clinical Perspective
-In light of the large standard deviations recorded, this study demonstrates that wrist-cuff BP machines result in unreliable readings (i.e. values are highly variable despite consistent auscultatory readings).
-Moreover, variable wrist position further compromises consistent readings with wrist based devices.
-As performed in the study, wrist units should be positioned at the level of the heart. However, I find that patients often place their wrist at their side leading to further measurement errors.
-As such, I limit wrist-cuff units to morbidly obese patients with upper arm circumferences that exceed even large cuffs and elderly individuals for whom it is difficult to place a cuff around the bicep.
|