Measurement of blood pressure using automatic monitors in patients with atrial fibrillation: a comparative analysis

Aim: to specify indications for use of distinct types of blood pressure monitors (mechanical, automatic with arrhythmia detector and upper arm cuff, and automatic with arrhythmia detector and wrist cuff) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Patients and Methods: 202 patients (mean age 61.8 ± 1.3 years) with paroxysmal AFib of any origin occurred no more than 1 month ago and atrial tachysystole were enrolled. All patients had a history of hypertension of various severity. This study was conducted in three units, i.e., ICU, ED, and therapeutic department. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were performed at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 4 p.m. using various types of BP monitors in turn, i.e., mechanical BP monitor (whose readings were considered reference values), automatic BP monitor OMRON M2 BASIC HEM-7121-ALRU (OMRON M2 BASIC) with upper arm cuff, automatic BP monitor OMRON RS2 HEM-6121-Ru (OMRON RS2) with wrist cuff, and automatic BP monitors of other manufacturers with upper arm cuff (B1 and A1) or wrist cuff (B2 and A2). Results: in patients with AFib of any severity, BP readings measured by automatic BP monitors OMRON M2 BASIC and OMRON RS2 demonstrate no significant differences compared to BP readings measured by mechanical BP monitor. Meanwhile, BP readings measured by BP monitors of other manufacturers (A1, A2, B1, and B2) were significantly different from reference values. The more severe was arrhythmia, the more significant the differences were. Conclusions: automatic BP monitors OMRON M2 BASIC and OMRON RS2 that provide as accurate as possible BP readings can be recommended for measuring BP in patients with AFib of any severity in ED, outpatient wards, and at home (self-control). KEYWORDS: hypertension, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure measurement, blood pressure variability, blood pressure monitor. FOR CITATION: Vertkin A.L., Sycheva A.S., Kebina A.L. et al. Measurement of blood pressure using automatic monitors in patients with atrial fibrillation: a comparative analysis. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(4):189–195 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-4-189-195.