Validation and compliance of a home monitoring device in pregnancy: microlife WatchBP home.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy and patient compliance in using a novel home blood pressure monitoring device in high-risk pregnancy. METHODS: Device accuracy was assessed according to the British Hypertension Society protocol in 45 pregnant women, including 15 with preeclampsia. Twenty-one high-risk pregnant women used the device in addition to their antenatal care. RESULTS: The device achieved a mean difference +/- SD of 0.4 +/- 7.3/-0.4 +/- 5.5 mmHg (pregnancy) and -2.6 +/- 7.0/0.8 +/- 4.4 mmHg (preeclampsia) for systolic/diastolic pressure. Eighty-one percent of women did at least 6 measurements/day and all women did at least 2 measurements/week. CONCLUSION: The Microlife WatchBP Home is accurate for use in pregnancy and increases surveillance in compliant patients.