WHY USE FINAPRES OR PORTAPRES RATHER THAN INTRAARTERIAL OR INTERMITTENT NONINVASIVE TECHNIQUES OF BLOOD-PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

In the clinic, blood pressure is measured almost exclusively using non -invasive intermittent techniques, of which the auscultatory (Riva-Roc ci/Korotkoff; RRK) and the computerized oscillometric method are most often used. However, both methods only provide a momentary value. In a ddition, the accuracy is hampered by phenomena such as cuff response a nd white coat hypertension, thus providing artefactually increased val ues. The vascular unloading technique of Penaz together with the Physi ocal criteria of Wesseling provide reliable, noninvasive and continuou s estimates of blood pressure. This technique is thus an alternative t o the invasive intra-arterial measurements in many cases, without the risks and ethical questions inherent to invasive measurements. Since t he pressure waveform is available continuously, computations such as p ulse contour and Modelflow cardiac output, spectral analysis and baror eflex sensitivity provide further information on the dynamics of the c ardiovascular system on a beat-to-beat basis, similar to intra-arteria l measurements.