Groundbreaking Technology Will Revolutionize Blood Pressure Measurement
Date: 22.2.2011
In a scientific breakthrough, a new blood pressure measurement device is set to revolutionise the way patients' blood pressure is measured. The new approach, invented by scientists at the University of Leicester and in Singapore, has the potential to enable doctors to treat their patients more effectively because it gives a more accurate reading than the current method used. It does this by measuring the pressure close to the heart -- the central aortic systolic pressure or CASP.
Blood pressure is currently measured in the arm because it is convenient however this may not always accurately reflect what the pressure is in the larger arteries close to the heart.
The new technology uses a sensor on the wrist to record the pulse wave and then, using computerised mathematical modelling of the pulse wave, scientists are able to accurately read the pressure close to the heart. Patients who have tested the new device found it easier and more comfortable, as it can be worn like a watch.
Source:
Original Paper:
Bryan Williams, Peter S. Lacy, Peter Yan, Chua-Ngak Hwee, Chen Liang, Choon-Meng Ting. Development and Validation of a Novel Method to Derive Central Aortic Systolic Pressure From the Radial Pressure Waveform Using an N-Point Moving Average Method. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2011; 57 (8): 951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2010.09.054
