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Comparison of auscultatory and oscillometric blood pressures
1Department of Pediatrics, MSC 7734, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. parkm@uthscsa.edu
Objective:
To study the differences in blood pressure readings between the auscultatory and oscillometric (Dinamap model 8100; Critikon, Tampa, Fla) methods.
Design:
Survey of 2 blood pressure instruments.
Setting:
Public schools.
Participants:
Seven thousand two hundred eight schoolchildren aged 5 through 17 years.
Main Outcome Measure:
Blood pressure levels.
Results:
For all children combined, Dinamap systolic pressure readings were 10 mm Hg higher (95% confidence interval, -4 to 24 mm Hg) than the auscultatory systolic pressure readings. Dinamap diastolic pressure readings were 5 mm Hg higher (95% confidence interval, -14 to 23 mm Hg) than the auscultatory Korotkoff phase V diastolic pressure readings.
Conclusion:
These findings preclude the interchange of readings by the 2 methods. Caution must be exercised in the diagnosis of hypertension when an automated device is used.