Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Measuring Left Ventricular Pressure in Late Embryonic and Neonatal Mice
Published on: February 23, 2012
Protocol for measurement of mean arterial pressure at 11-13 weeks' gestation
L C Y Poon1, N A Zymeri, A Zamprakou
1Harris Birthright Research Centre of Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
Objectives:
To identify the best protocol for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in early pregnancy for the prediction of preeclampsia (PE).
Methods:
This was a prospective study in singleton pregnancies attending for a routine hospital visit at 11-13 weeks' gestation when a minimum of four recordings of MAP were taken from each arm. The performance of screening for PE by different combinations of MAP was compared to the protocol of the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NHFA).
Results:
The MAP was measured in 587 (2.4%) cases that developed PE and in 22,900 that were unaffected by hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for prediction of PE by MAP as recommended by the NHFA protocol was 0.773 (95% CI 0.768-0.778). This AUROC was not significantly different from the AUROC obtained by the average MAP of the first three measurements from one arm (0.765, 95% CI 0.760-0.771) or the average of the first (0.766, 95% CI 0.760-0.771), the first two (0.771, 95% CI 0.766-0.777), or the first three measurements from the two arms (0.773, 95% CI 0.768-0.778).
Conclusion:
Performance of screening for PE by taking the average of a minimum of two measurements from both arms is comparable to the NHFA protocol.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
01:30Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...
01:28Special 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.