SunTech's Oscar 2 ABPM Used To Monitor the Progression of Cerbrovascular Disease in Elderly Population

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is known to be a powerful tool for diagnosing and managing hypertension. This is because the data collected through ABP monitors like SunTech's Oscar 2, provide a clear view of the variability of a patient's BP as well as a means to determine their average BP levels. With this information clinicians can better determine if treatment is necessary and also the potential risk for future cardiovascular disease.

 However, a recent clinical study used the SunTech Oscar 2 to examine a new potential application for ABPM by utilizing 24-hour average BP to monitor the progression of cerebrovascular disease in an elderly population. This study specifically sought to assess the relationship between ABPM and clinic BP, the progression of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and functional capabilities in men and women between the ages of 75 and 89. The researchers concluded that "ambulatory systolic BP but not clinic systolic BP is associated with microvascular brain disease, characterized by volumetric MRI-derived white matter lesions on volume, and is significantly associated with impairment of several measures of mobility and cognition." The researchers also hypothesized that mean 24-hour systolic BP might be a potential target for intervention in the elderly which may reduce the progression of microvascular disease and favorably affect function. More research is needed to determine if this suggested treatment would be effective, but it is clear that ABPM is a tool clinicians can depend on to both define patient BP levels and determine treatment options.

White, W. B.; Wolfson, L.; Wakefield, D. B.; Hall, C. B.; Campbell, P.; Moscufo, N.; Schmidt, J.; et al. (2011) Average Daily Blood Pressure, Not Office Blood Pressure, Is Associated With Progression of Cerebrovascular Disease and Cognitive Decline in Older People. Circulation, 124, 2312-2319.