When ABPM May be Difficult to Perform
Obesity, AF, Children, Adolescents – Some Conditions in which ABPM May be Difficult to Perform
ABPM in Obese Patients
Although obesity is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can be difficult to perform. The reasons are prosaic: it may be difficult to find the right-size cuff which can be applied to the obese patient's arm. The solution is to use conically shaped cuffs. In case of excessive obesity, there is another solution that may work: the cuff can also be placed on the forearm so that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can be obtained. In this case the patient should hold his wrist at heart level during measurement.
ABPM in AF Patients
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and rapid heart rate – a type of arrhythmia - that causes poor blood flow. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with AF is less precise.
ABPM in Children and Adolescents
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is an indispensible tool in the evaluation of nocturnal hypertension, which is often reported in children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes. Issues to consider here:
1. Different reference values in children and adolescents
Based on height and gender there are different reference values for morbidity in case of children and adolescents.
2. Cuff Size
The appropriate cuff size should be used according to arm lenght and width.
Source: Parati 2014 European Society of Hypertension practice guidelines
for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Meditech is one of the worldwide technology leaders in the area of manufacturing ambulatory blood pressure monitors and ECG devices. Established in 1990 by Hungarian private entrepreneurs, Meditech develops medical devices and software solutions for monitoring risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.