[Non-invasive central blood pressure measurement: how and why?]

Until today, the usual way to measure arterial blood pressure has been cuff sphygmomanometry, at the level of the brachial artery. Yet, for some years, a non invasive tool has been available, that enables an estimation of the aortic pressure. This is done by using an aplanation tonometry technique to record the pulse wave within the radial artery, with subsequent convertion to a central pressure wave by means of a mathematical method (transfer function). This measurement informs us about the pressure near the target organs: this pressure is influenced by the reflected waves, which are responsible for an augmentation of systolic blood pressures when arterial compliance is abnormally low. Recent clinical trials have shown that for the same value of peripheral blood pressure, different antihypertensive treatments may not impact identically on central blood pressure.