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A perfect replacement for the mercury sphygmomanometer: the case of the hybrid blood pressure monitor

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 26, pages 220–227 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

This study validated a hybrid mercury-free device as a replacement of the mercury sphygmomanometer for professional use, and also as a standard for future validations. A validation study was performed according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol 2010 (ESH-IP) in 33 subjects using simultaneous blood pressure (BP) measurements. A total of six BP measurements were taken per participant simultaneously by a supervisor (S; hybrid auscultatory device Nissei DM3000) and two observers (A and B; mercury sphygmomanometers). ESH-IP analysis (99 BP readings): mean device–observer systolic/diastolic BP difference 0.2±2.0/0.1±2.0 mm Hg; systolic BP differences ⩽5/10/15 mm Hg in 97/99/99 readings, respectively (diastolic 98/99/99). All 33 subjects had 2 of 3 BP differences ⩽5 mm Hg and none without a difference ⩽5 mm Hg. Further analysis (198 BP readings): mean differences S–A 0.1±2.4/0.2±2.4 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic), S–B 0.3±2.1/0.2±2.2, A–B 0.2±2.4/0.0±2.3; differences ⩽2 mm Hg S–A in 88/84% (systolic/diastolic), S–B 87/85%, A–B 87/86% and ⩽4 mm Hg S–A 95/96%, S–B 95/96%, A–B 95/98%. In conclusion, a hybrid mercury-free auscultatory BP monitor comfortably passed the ESH-IP 2010 requirements and has the same level of accuracy as the mercury sphygmomanometer. This device appears to be a reliable alternative to the mercury sphygmomanometer for professional use and also as a standard for future validations.

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Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the Hypertension Center, Third University Department of Medicine, Athens, Greece. The test device was provided by the local distributor of the Nissei company with a written declaration by the manufacturer that this was a standard production model. The manufacturer and the local distributor were not aware neither involved in any way in the design and execution of this study, the data analysis and the preparation of the manuscript.

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  1. Hypertension Center, Third University Department of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece,

    G S Stergiou, N Karpettas, A Kollias, A Destounis & D Tzamouranis

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  1. G S Stergiou
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Correspondence to G S Stergiou.

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Stergiou, G., Karpettas, N., Kollias, A. et al. A perfect replacement for the mercury sphygmomanometer: the case of the hybrid blood pressure monitor. J Hum Hypertens 26, 220–227 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2011.77

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