• W J Schwartz, W F Rayburn, G L Turnbull, and H D Christensen.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, USA.
• J Reprod Med. 1996 Aug 1; 41 (8): 581-5.

ObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of three commercially available blood pressure monitoring devices having cuffs placed at different anatomic sites on obese pregnant women with large arms.Study DesignFifty-five obese pregnant women (body mass index > 27.3) were eligible for participation; each had an upper arm circumferences > 35 cm. The three different portable devices compared had cuffs that fit easily around either the index finger, wrist or large arm. Two recordings using each device were compared with those obtained simultaneously using a well calibrated monitor.ResultsSystolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure recordings did not correlate between the monitor and devices with the cuff around the finger (r2 = .17, .17, .22), wrist (.30, .24, .33) or large arm (.44, .26, .40). The percentages of measurement differences within 5 mm Hg for the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure were low for the device with the cuff around the finger (11.0%, 25.5%, 23.6%), wrist (33.0%, 46.4%, 35.5%) or large arm (38.5%, 29.4%, 46.7%).ConclusionDespite their commercial appeal, none of these portable blood pressure monitoring devices was accurate for use by obese pregnant patients with large arms.

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