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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Assessing Cerebral Autoregulation via Oscillatory Lower Body Negative Pressure and Projection Pursuit Regression
Published on: December 10, 2014
[Evaluation of different protocols for the leg cuff technique for measurement of dynamic cerebral autoregulation]
Aim:
Aaslid's leg cuff method is a well validated technique to measure dynamic cerebral autoregulation. In the literature different protocols to choose cuff pressure have been described. The aim of this study is to find a technique as accurate as possible without un-necessary inconvenience for the patient.
Method:
The leg cuff test with bilateral cuffs was performed on 10 young healthy volunteers with three different protocols (cuff pressure at systolic level, doppler controlled and 30 mmHg above systolic level). For each examination the autoregulation index invented by Tiecks and Mahony was calculated. Statistical modelling of correlated data was done with Generalized Estimating Equations.
Results:
The choice of the protocol influences the quality of the actual autoregulation test. The most reliable protocol is also the most inconvenient one for the patient. We found no systematic bias of the protocol on the autoregulation index, but the relation between induced blood pressure drop and resulting autoregulation index was close to statistical significance.
Conclusion:
For the leg cuff test with bilateral cuffs in awake patients we recommend to apply the protocol proposed by Tiecks. Additional report of the magnitude of induced blood pressure drop would be helpful to improve the results' comparability.
Related Concept Videos
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

