An evaluation of the 'Accutracker', a new lightweight ambulatory blood pressure monitor, has been carried out in 14 subjects. Using a cross-over study design, BP readings obtained by the monitor were compared with BP measurements carried out in the opposite arm by a random zero sphygmomanometer. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures obtained by the 'Accutracker' were lower than the corresponding mercury sphygmomanometer readings (mean bias -5.6 and -7.0 mmHg respectively). The reproducibility of the monitor readings was significantly and substantially poorer than those obtained with the sphygmomanometer even when machine-flagged suspect values were excluded from the analysis. The results suggest that the data obtained from this device should be interpreted with caution.
Adult Aged