Validation of the CAS Medical Systems, Inc. OscilloMitt, hand-blood-pressure cuff

Background There are technical difficulties in accurately measuring blood p ressure of individuals with varying arm and body sizes. Objective To perform validation testing with 109 children of a novel cuff t hat occludes the palm rather than the upper arm. Methods This cuff, the OscilloMitt made by CAS Medical Systems, Inc., was u sed in conjunction with a commercially available monitor. Readings of blood pressure taken by trained auscultatory observers were compared with those of the OscilloMitt monitor. The mean difference in systolic blood pressure was 1.13 mmHg and the mean difference in diastolic blood pressure was 0.94 mmHg. The OscilloMitt was tolerated very well, especially by the young chil dren (those aged < 5 years). Conclusion The OscilloMitt is accurate and its use should be preferable to traditional upper-arm placement of cuffs for assessing many specific groups of patients. We recommend its use for persons aged 2 years and more. Blood Press Monit 5:159-162 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.