24-Hour Noninvasive Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring

Abstract

The understanding of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variation, circadian changes, and the responses to nonclinical situations has been improved by automated ambulatory recordings. The antihypertensive efficacy of a once-daily regimen (10/20 mg) of nitrendipine was evaluated in detail using the lightest available portable device equipped with an oscillometric blood pressure (BP) recorder (SpaceLabs 90202, weight 480 g) devoid of any electrode. A good antihypertensive effect throughout the day in 20 outpatients could be demonstrated. No significant change of BP could be found in early morning and wake-up period; HR was not significantly affected after 6 weeks of oral therapy.