Related Experiment Videos
Roll-over test--errors in interpretation, due to inaccurate blood pressure measurements
In order to make the earliest possible prediction of the type of woman likely to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), one hundred and ninety-six primigravidas underwent a roll-over test (ROT) during wk 28-32 of their pregnancy. Blood pressure (BP) readings were taken with a standard 12 cm cuff as well as with cuffs adapted to various arm circumferences. We found that the prediction rate of ROT readings with a standard 12 cm cuff was relatively low (38.5%) as compared with Gant's study (94%) (Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec., 120 (1974) 1). When a suitably sized cuff was used, the prediction rate dropped (to 14.7%). Data analysis at term for the whole population of this study shows that, by measuring with a standard 12 cm cuff, 10.2% of the women were found to have PIH, whereas measuring with a suitable cuff showed PIH in only 2.55% of the cases (1:4 ratio). We suggest that the low prediction rates in this and other studies demonstrate that the ROT test is not sufficiently reliable as a tool for predicting which women are liable to develop PIH, but there is definitely enough in it to predict which group will not develop PIH (in this study 89-93%). It has been recommended that ROT be considered only as a test of possible reliability. It should be done according to proper criteria for BP measuring, and a repeat ROT should be considered after several days before starting any kind of treatment.
In order to make the earliest possible prediction of the type of woman likely to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), one hundred and ninety-six primigravidas underwent a roll-over test (ROT) during wk 28-32 of their pregnancy. Blood pressure (BP) readings were taken with a standard 12 cm cuff as well as with cuffs adapted to various arm circumferences. We found that the prediction rate of ROT readings with a standard 12 cm cuff was relatively low (38.5%) as compared with Gant's study (94%) (Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec., 120 (1974) 1). When a suitably sized cuff was used, the prediction rate dropped (to 14.7%). Data analysis at term for the whole population of this study shows that, by measuring with a standard 12 cm cuff, 10.2% of the women were found to have PIH, whereas measuring with a suitable cuff showed PIH in only 2.55% of the cases (1:4 ratio). We suggest that the low prediction rates in this and other studies demonstrate that the ROT test is not sufficiently reliable as a tool for predicting which women are liable to develop PIH, but there is definitely enough in it to predict which group will not develop PIH (in this study 89-93%). It has been recommended that ROT be considered only as a test of possible reliability. It should be done according to proper criteria for BP measuring, and a repeat ROT should be considered after several days before starting any kind of treatment.