Use of a neonatal noninvasive blood pressure module on adult patients.

A clinical and statistical comparison of systolic, mean and diastolic arterial blood pressures was made between a non-invasive technique using a neonatal oscillometric blood pressure monitor attached to the thumb versus an invasive technique using a catheter inserted into the ipsilateral radial artery in 18 patients undergoing general anaesthesia for major surgery. In 1258 readings, the mean differences between the pressures obtained (invasive versus non-invasive) were +9.1, -7.9, and -0.7 mmHg for systolic, diastolic and mean pressures respectively. Oscillometric blood pressure measurement using the thumb appears to be an acceptable method for monitoring blood pressure during anaesthesia and has advantages over conventional cuff placement on the upper arm.