Hypertension Canada Statement on the Use of Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices in Clinical Practice.

Abstract

Background: Cuffless blood pressure (BP) devices are an emerging technology marketed as providing frequent, nonintrusive and reliable BP measurements. With the increasing interest in these devices, it is important for Hypertension Canada to provide a statement regarding the current place of cuffless BP measurements in hypertension management.

Methods: An overview of the technology in cuffless BP devices, the potential with this technology and the challenges related to determining the accuracy of these devices.

Results: Cuffless BP monitoring is an emerging field where various technologies are applied to measure BP without the use of a brachial cuff. None of the devices currently sold have been validated in static and dynamic conditions using a recognized validation standard. Important issues persist in regard to the accuracy and the place of these devices in clinical practice. Current data only support using validated cuff-based devices for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. Presently, readings from cuffless devices that are used for diagnosis or clinical management need to be confirmed using measurements obtained from a clinically validated BP device.

Conclusions: Cuffless BP devices are a developing technology designed to track BP in most daily life activities. However, many steps remain before they should be used in clinical practice.