Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Measurements of Arterial Occlusion Pressure Using Hand-Held Devices
Pat R Vehrs1, Shay Richards1, Josh Allen1
1Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; and.
Insights
Hand-held Doppler and pulse oximeters can accurately measure arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), offering a practical alternative to Doppler ultrasound. These devices are suitable for assessing AOP before blood flow restriction exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) is crucial for blood flow restriction (BFR) training.
- Accurate AOP measurement ensures BFR safety and efficacy.
- Traditional methods may be cumbersome in field settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare AOP measurements using Doppler ultrasound (US), hand-held Doppler (HHDOP), and pulse oximeter (PO).
- To evaluate the influence of continuous (CONT) and incremental (INCR) cuff inflation protocols on AOP measurements.
- To determine the reliability and agreement of HHDOP and PO for AOP assessment.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous AOP measurements of the brachial artery using US, HHDOP, and PO.
- Inclusion of 21 males and 23 females, assessing dominant and nondominant arms.
- Application of both CONT and INCR cuff inflation protocols.
Main Results:
- Significant main effects observed for inflation protocol, measurement device, and sex.
- No significant differences found between US and HHDOP, or HHDOP and PO measurements.
- Reasonable limits of agreement demonstrated for HHDOP and PO compared to US.
- Trial-to-trial variance was significant for HHDOP and PO with CONT inflation.
Conclusions:
- HHDOP and PO are reliable and practical alternatives to US for measuring AOP.
- Differences in AOP measurements between devices and protocols are of minimal clinical significance.
- HHDOP and PO are suitable for assessing AOP prior to BFR exercise.
Abstract:
Vehrs, PR, Reynolds, S, Allen, J, Barrett, R, Blazzard, C, Burbank, T, Hart, H, Kasper, N, Lacey, R, Lopez, D, and Fellingham, GW. Measurements of arterial occlusion pressure using hand-held devices. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 873-880, 2024-Arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) of the brachial artery was measured simultaneously using Doppler ultrasound (US), a hand-held Doppler (HHDOP), and a pulse oximeter (PO) in the dominant (DOM) and nondominant (NDOM) arms of males ( n = 21) and females ( n = 23) using continuous (CONT) and incremental (INCR) cuff inflation protocols. A mixed-model analysis of variance revealed significant ( p < 0.05) overall main effects between AOP measured using a CONT (115.7 ± 10.9) or INCR (115.0 ± 11.5) cuff inflation protocol; between AOP measured using US (116.3 ± 11.2), HHDOP (115.4 ± 11.2), and PO (114.4 ± 11.2); and between males (120.7 ± 10.6) and females (110.5 ± 9.4). The small overall difference (1.81 ± 3.3) between US and PO measures of AOP was significant ( p < 0.05), but the differences between US and HHDOP and between HHDOP and PO measures of AOP were not significant. There were no overall differences in AOP between the DOM and NDOM arms. Trial-to-trial variance in US measurements of AOP was not significant when using either cuff inflation protocol but was significant when using HHDOP and PO and a CONT cuff inflation protocol. Bland-Altman plots revealed reasonable limits of agreement for both HHDOP and PO measures of AOP. The small differences in US, HHDOP, and PO measurements of AOP when using CONT or INCR cuff inflation protocols are of minimal practical importance. The choice of cuff inflation protocol is one of personal preference. Hand-held Doppler of PO can be used to assess AOP before using blood flow restriction during exercise.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sites for measruring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
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...
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
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.