title: A perfect replacement for the mercury sphygmomanometer: the case of the hybrid blood pressure monitor.
abstract: This study validated a hybrid mercury-free device as a replacement of the mercury sphygmomanometer for professional use, and also as a standard for future validations. A validation study was performed according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol 2010 (ESH-IP) in 33 subjects using simultaneous blood pressure (BP) measurements. A total of six BP measurements were taken per participant simultaneously by a supervisor (S; hybrid auscultatory device Nissei DM3000) and two observers (A and B; mercury sphygmomanometers). ESH-IP analysis (99 BP readings): mean device-observer systolic/diastolic BP difference 0.2±2.0/0.1±2.0 mm Hg; systolic BP differences ≤5/10/15 mm Hg in 97/99/99 readings, respectively (diastolic 98/99/99). All 33 subjects had 2 of 3 BP differences ≤5 mm Hg and none without a difference ≤5 mm Hg. Further analysis (198 BP readings): mean differences S-A 0.1±2.4/0.2±2.4 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic), S-B 0.3±2.1/0.2±2.2, A-B 0.2±2.4/0.0±2.3; differences ≤2 mm Hg S-A in 88/84% (systolic/diastolic), S-B 87/85%, A-B 87/86% and ≤4 mm Hg S-A 95/96%, S-B 95/96%, A-B 95/98%. In conclusion, a hybrid mercury-free auscultatory BP monitor comfortably passed the ESH-IP 2010 requirements and has the same level of accuracy as the mercury sphygmomanometer. This device appears to be a reliable alternative to the mercury sphygmomanometer for professional use and also as a standard for future validations.
authors: Hypertension Center, Third University Department of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece. gstergi@med.uoa.gr
authors: G S
authors: GS
authors: Stergiou
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Karpettas
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kollias
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Destounis
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Tzamouranis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors / Q000639:trends*; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012955:Societies, Medical; D019722:Sphygmomanometers / Q000639:trends*; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008628:Mercury