[Recommendations for the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Consensus document of the Chilean Hypertension Society].
Continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a diagnostic technique devised as a consequence of the great variations in blood pressure measurements. It allows multiple daily measurements, nocturnal monitoring, avoids the stress of blood pressure measurements, gives a picture of pressure behavior during 24 hours and reduces observer related errors. The equipment used must be accurate and validated using international protocols. Accepted indications for continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are white coat hypertension, episodic hypertension, resistance to medications and assessment of symptoms or autonomic dysfunction. Other indications with less clear cut usefulness, are high risk cardiac, renal or pregnant patients and an accurate blood pressure control. We describe equipment calibration, elements that must be considered in the reports, result interpretation and conclusions. Normal blood pressure ranges for children and pregnant women are also reported.
Prat
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H
Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. Hernprat@vtr.net
Valdés
G
G
Román
O
O
Zárate
L H
LH
Jalil
J
J
D000367:Age Factors; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors