Validity of Blood Pressure Measurement With Cuff in the Arm and Forearm

Abstract. The arterial blood pressure has been measured with a cuff in the arm and forearm of 44 patients, and the cuff pressures were compared with contralateral, intraarterial brachial pressures in another 52 patients. 1) A technique for recording of Korotkoff sounds and pressures in the forearm with a standard cuff is described. 2) There were no systematic differences between contralateral arms or forearms as regards intraarterial or cuff pressures. 3) The cuff systolic as well as diastolic pressure was higher in the forearm than in the arm. 4) Systolic intraarterial pressure agreed well with corresponding contralateral arm cuff pressure but intraarterial diastolic pressure was systematically lower than corresponding cuff pressure. 5) The absolute pressure level, arm circumference or skinfold thickness did not influence the results given under paragraphs 3 and 4 as long as the standard cuff was used. 6) In extremely obese patients necessitating the use of a big cuff on the arm there was a big difference between intraarterial and cuff systolic or diastolic pressure, but use of the standard cuff on the forearm gave good results.