Blood pressure measurement using oscillometric finger cuffs in children and young adults. A comparison with arm cuffs during general anaesthesia

Abstract

Arterial blood pressure measurements (y) obtained from forefinger cuffs were compared with standard arm cuff readings (x) in 41 anaesthetised children and young adults. Mean (SD) differences between cuff measurements were -0.21 (9.15), -1.56 (10.2) and 1.23 (9.12) mmHg for the systolic, mean and diastolic pressures respectively. The correlation for systolic blood pressures (r = 0.85, y = 0.99x + 0.58, sy.x = 9.15) was better than that for mean or diastolic pressures. Oscillometric finger cuffs are suitable for monitoring the systolic blood pressure in children and young adults during general anaesthesia.