Authors' objectives:

The aim of this report is to assess the available information on the use of BpTRU blood pressure monitors in a physician's office.

Authors' recommendations: The BpTRU is an automated device that takes serial blood pressure (BP) measurements in a physician's office. Preliminary data from non-randomized, uncontrolled trials suggest that the average of five BpTRU measurements, taken while the patient is alone, more reliably reflects "resting" BP compared to manual measurements taken with a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. BpTRU helps reduce the overestimation of BP due to improper measurement technique, or due to a patient's anxiety in a physician's presence ("white coat" effect). The BpTRU device can improve hypertension management by replacing conventional manual BP measurements, which are often poorly performed and inaccurate. BpTRU is more expensive than the manual manometers used in a physician's office. The serial measurement, taken in a private examining room, requires an average of six to 12 minutes, which could increase the duration of a patient's visit.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/443_BpTRU_BloodPressure_cetap_e.pdf

Year Published: 2006

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)