ACCUTRACKER - EVALUATIONS OF A NEW AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITOR

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Accutracker noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitor in comparison to direct intra-arterial blood pressure measurement and to that derived from another automatic device already widely used (Copal). Intra-arterial comparisons in 14 patients produced an acceptable assessment of blood pressure. There was no significant difference in the mean values for systolic (mean difference +5 ± 10.5 mm Hg) or diastolic pressure (mean difference +9 ± 8.3 mm Hg). Sixty-one percent of systolic and diastolic recordings fell within ± 10 mm Hg of intra-arterial measurements and 95 and 92% respectively within ± 20 mm Hg. In 51 patients the Copal vs. Accutracker measurements also compared favourably. The overall mean systolic blood pressure was 138 ± 22 (Copal) vs. 136 ± 18 mm Hg (Accutracker) and overall mean diastolic pressure was 83 ± 13 (Copal) vs. 79 ± 12 mm Hg (Accutracker) (p = NS). Only three measurements of systolic blood pressure and four of diastolic pressure fell outside ± 2 SD from the mean difference of recordings between the devices. The device also yielded satisfactory repeatability of measurements but was unable to accurately record blood pressure during treadmill exercise. Exercise studies apart, this device compares very favourably with other available automatic or semiautomatic devices and in addition offers noninvasive ambulatory monitoring.