[Semi-automatic measurement of blood pressure--how reliable is it? (author's transl)]

Six commercially available semiautomatic blood-pressure measuring devices were tested on 50 patients each for their accuracy, freedom from recording artefact and ease of use. Only one on average showed no significant deviation from the reference measuring system (Hawksley Random Zero Mercury Manometer), but individual values showed considerable scatter around those obtained with the reference manometer. All other semi-automatic apparatus had systematic errors, of both systolic and diastolic values. Degree of recording interference was acceptable for all six apparatus and ease of use satisfactory. These results indicate that none of the tested apparatus offers any advantage over conventional blood-pressure measuring devices in respect of accuracy.