The accuracy of central blood pressure obtained by oscillometric noninvasive method using Mobil-O-Graph in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES: Central blood pressure (CBP) can now be reliably measured noninvasively with a number of devices in adult; however, noninvasive assessment of CBP has not been validated in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to clarify the accuracy of noninvasive oscillometric CBP measurements in children and adolescents. METHODS: This study included 60 patients with an average age of 7.9 ± 4.4 years (range 1-18 years) who underwent a cardiac catheterization. We compared CBP, estimated with a noninvasive oscillometric method using a Mobil-O-Graph, with simultaneous invasive recordings using a catheter in children and adolescents. RESULTS: Comparison of the SBP values measured by the two methods, showing a linear correlation (r = 0.85; P < 0.0001) with the mean difference aortic SBP minus estimated central SBP of 2.0 ± 5.6 mmHg (95% limits of agreement = -9.0-13.1). In DBP values, there was a correlation (r = 0.72; P < 0.0001) with the mean difference aortic DBP minus estimated central DBP of -0.1 ± 6.4 mmHg (95% limits of agreement = -12.6-12.4). Sex and cardiac function did not affect central SBP estimation; however, the correlation between aortic and estimated central SBP in adolescents was better than that in children (r = 0.93, P < 0.0001 vs. r = 0.77, P < 0.0001), though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.483). CONCLUSION: Estimated CBP using Mobil-O-Graph in children and adolescents shows a certain degree of accuracy, which will be helpful in future for evaluating CBP in children and adolescents.