Comparison of two blood pressure oscillometric devices: Datascope Accutorr Plus and Mobil-O-Graph PWA and conversion of blood pressure values from one device to the other.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare two oscillometric devices used in national health surveys in Germany, Datascope Accutorr Plus and Mobil-O-Graph PWA and to develop formulas for the conversion of blood pressure (BP) values. METHODS: One hundred and four adults aged 21-86 years had nine alternate same-arm BP measurements according to the International Protocol revision 2010 for the validation of BP measuring devices in adults of the European Society of Hypertension. Measurements 2-8 yielded six pairs of measurements at 30- to 60-second interval with the two devices, totaling 743 pairs used for analysis. RESULTS: Mean Mobil-O-Graph SBP and DBP were higher than those from Datascope. Mean differences (Mobil-O-Graph minus Datascope) increased within BP ranges (optimal, normal, high normal, hypertensive stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3): SBP 0.5 ± 8.5, 3.1 ± 8.2, 3.7 ± 8.0, 5.3 ± 8.8, 13.8 ± 10.2 and 15.0 ± 25.9, respectively, and DBP 2.6 ± 5.6, 6.0 ± 4.9, 6.6 ± 5.2, 8.4 ± 4.8, 12.3 ± 4.6 and 20.4 ± 4.2, respectively. For Mobil-O-Graph pulse pressure less than 43 mm Hg, the DBP difference was 6.3 ± 5.5, and for Mobil-O-Graph pulse pressure more than 50 mm Hg, the SBP difference was 7.4 ± 9.3. The prevalence of BP at least 140/90 mm Hg was 28.8% with Mobil-O-Graph and 20.5% with Datascope. Bidirectional conversion models of SBP and DBP adjusting for BP, pulse pressure, sex, age and cuff width to arm circumference ratio were developed. CONCLUSION: The disagreement in oscillometric devices can reach a magnitude that can be relevant for clinical and epidemiological contexts. The here generated conversion formulas may help to improve comparability.