The ability to measure blood pressure accurately and instantly is a key tool in the management of the critically ill patient, especially those in whom we need to maintain blood pressure targets. Intra-arterial blood pressure measurement is considered the gold standard of blood pressure monitoring.
There are some potential barriers to obtaining arterial catheterisation. The first is the potential for complications, which include pseudoaneurysm, haematoma, and distal limb ischaemia. There may be barriers related to skill set and also of staffing challenges. In these situations non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) readings are used to monitor the blood pressure.
Is this an adequate approach in crically unwell patients , who may be post ROSC, or shocked or have arrhythmias and may require pressors and intoropes?
This study aimed at assessing the accuracy and precision of NIBP when compared to intraarteria arterial (IAP) monitoring in critically unwell patients.
The Study
Nedel WL et al. Accuracy and precision of oscillometric non-invasive blood pressure measurement in critically ill patients: sytematic review and meta-analysis. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2022; 54, 5: 425–431
