Discrepancies Between Direct and Indirect Blood Pressure Measurements Using Various Recommendations for Arm Cuff Selection

Abstract

Practitioners are likely to use significantly larger arm cuffs when following the two-thirds and three-fourths UAL criteria than when following the 40% UAC criterion. Of the 3 criteria for cuff selection, systolic BP by 40% UAC criterion most accurately reflects directly measured radial arterial pressure. However, the 40% UAC cuff significantly overestimates the diastolic pressure. Using available cuffs for indirect measurements by two-thirds and three-quarters UAL criteria significantly underestimates systolic as well as diastolic BP when compared with radial intra-arterial BP.