October 10, 2013Open Access

Optimising the accuracy of blood pressure monitoring in chronic kidney disease: the utility of BpTRU

SBShona BrothwellBirmingham Children's Hospital MDMary Ann DuttonGeorgetown University CFCharles J. FerroGeneral Cardiology

Structured PICO

Does automated blood pressure measurement with the BpTRU device improve accuracy compared to routine clinic measurement in adults with chronic kidney disease?

Population

91 adults with chronic kidney disease attending nephrology outpatient clinics, mean age 49, 62.6% male, UK-based.

Intervention

Automated blood pressure measurement using the BpTRU device (oscillometric technique, average of last 5 of 6 readings taken at 1-minute intervals) in a quiet clinic room.

Comparator

Routine clinic blood pressure measurement using a DINAMAP PRO400 monitor by a clinic nurse in a multi-use clinical assessment room, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

Outcome

Difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings between routine clinic measurements, BpTRU measurements, and 24-hour ABPM.surrogate

In patients with chronic kidney disease, automated BpTRU measurements in a quiet room provide blood pressure readings comparable to 24-hour ABPM and significantly lower than routine clinic measurements, potentially avoiding overdiagnosis and overtreatment of hypertension.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Accurate blood pressure monitoring is critical for the management of chronic kidney disease, but changes in management in secondary care clinics may be based on a single blood pressure reading, with a subsequent lack of accuracy. The aim of this study was to evaluate a fully automated sphygmomanometer for optimising the accuracy of blood pressure measurements in the setting of secondary care renal clinics. METHODS: Patients had routine blood pressure measurements with a calibrated DINAMAP PRO400 monitor in a clinical assessment room. Patients then underwent repeat assessment with a DINAMAP PRO400 monitor and BpTRU device and subsequent 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). RESULTS: The BpTRU systolic (± SD) reading (117.3 ± 14.1 mmHg) was significantly lower than the routine clinic mean systolic blood pressure (143.8 ± 15.5 mmHg; P < 0.001) and the repeat blood pressure taken with a DINAMAP PRO400 monitor in a quiet room (129.9 ± 19.9 mmHg; P < 0.001). The routine clinic mean diastolic (82.4 ± 11.2 mmHg) was significantly higher than the BpTRU reading (78.4 ± 10.0 mmHg; P < 0.001). Clinic BpTRU measurements were not significantly different to the daytime mean or overall mean of 24 hour ABPM. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CKD, routine clinic blood pressure measurements were significantly higher than measurements using a BpTRU machine in a quiet room, but there was no significant difference in this setting between BpTRU readings and 24 hour ABPM. Adjusting clinic protocols to utilise the most accurate blood pressure technique available is a simple manoeuvre that could deliver major improvements in clinical practice.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper