THEORETICAL-ANALYSIS OF NONINVASIVE OSCILLOMETRIC MAXIMUM AMPLITUDE ALGORITHM FOR ESTIMATING MEAN BLOOD-PRESSURE

A theoretical analysis is performed to evaluate the effect of arterial mechanical and blood pressure pulse properties on the accuracy of non -invasive oscillometric maximum amplitude algorithm (MAA) estimates of the mean blood pressure obtained using air-filled occlusive cuffs. In vasively recorded blood pressure pulses, selected for their varied sha pes, are scaled to simulate a wide range of blood pulse pressures (dia stolic blood pressure minus systolic blood pressure). Each scaled bloo d pressure pulse is transformed through an exponential model of an art ery to create a series of blood volume pulses from which a simulated o scillometric waveform is created and the corresponding MAA estimate of the mean blood pressure and error (mean blood pressure minus MAA esti mate) are determined. The MAA estimates are found to depend on the art erial blood pressure. The errors are found to depend on the arterial m echanical properties, blood pressure pulse shape and blood pulse press ure. These results suggest that there is no direct relationship betwee n the mean blood pressure and MAA estimate, and that multiple variable s may affect the accuracy of MAA estimates of the mean blood pressure obtained using air-filled occlusive cuffs.