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The Importance of Measuring Blood Pressure in Dental Offices Dental care professionals realize that the key component of any thorough dental hygiene appointment is patient assessment. While there are several tools used for conducting screenings and examinations for oral health, other aspects of patient health that may be related to dental heath are often overlooked. A patient's blood pressure is one of these parameters. Appropriate monitoring of blood pressure can not only improve outcomes of dental care, but also play a role in improving the overall health of patients.
Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement: The Trouble with Traditional Automated Monitors—The Need for Something New According to the American Heart Association, nearly one third of adults have hypertension (defined as sustained high blood pressure of 140 /90 mmHg and above). Uncontrolled high blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke - the first and third leading causes of death in developed nations. Because there are no symptoms, many people with hypertension do not know they have it. The only way to tell is to have an accurate check of your blood pressure.
Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement: What is it? Why is it important? Why is it so difficult to obtain a reliable measurement? Similar to the pressure created by water flowing through a garden hose, blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of our arteries and blood vessels. Blood pressure is commonly measured by inflating a cuff on the upper arm and watching the pressure indicated by a blood pressure gauge while listening to the Korotkoff sounds at the brachial artery with a stethoscope. The cuff must first be inflated enough to stop all the blood from flowing through the artery. Then, as the pressure in the cuff is gradually released with a valve, the occlusion of the artery is reduced. The point at which blood begins to flow again is signaled by the first Korotkoff sound. This is an indication of the peak blood pressure in the arteries and is referred to as systolic blood pressure. Continued reduction of the pressure in the cuff eventually allows the blood to flow completely unobstructed again. This point is signaled by the disappearance of the Korotkoff sounds and is considered a reliable indication of diastolic blood pressure.
NIBP Simulator Limits with the Advantage OEM series When potential customers evaluate the Advantage NIBP module with a view to developing manufacturing procedures, often an NIBP simulation or group of simulations are performed using an NIBP simulator. Some will ask for expected values. These values are dependent on several factors including the type of simulator, settings, age of the instrument, software version, pneumatic setup and module configuration bytes. Thus it is difficult to provide meaningful min/max values without testing under identical conditions.
This application note provides general limits expected for 5 simulator brands at various settings. These limits were derived using specific equipment arranged in a precise manner. If these data are to be relied upon, we recommend the test conditions be replicated exactly. Even so, results may vary due to the vagaries of the specific instrument.
Rationale for NIBP Research on Dialysis Patients SunTech Medical, Inc. has, for over 20 years, been a leading provider of clinical grade Blood Pressure monitors and OEM BP technologies. Our sole focus on blood pressure has allowed us to study various patient populations and design equipment specific to the needs and environments of those patient groups.
Over the past 5 years we have focused on the dialysis market and the special requirements of taking blood pressure readings on patients during dialysis treatment. The process of renal hemodialysis occasions significant fluid loss from the circulatory system, tissues and interstitial spaces. The affects range from loosening of the BP cuff (edema loss) to potential changes in pulse transmission characteristics. All can affect BP system accuracy. This clinical environment is further complicated because dialysis patients are known to have a higher incidence of cardiovascular issues. We have collected data and completed validations on patients undergoing dialysis. Analyzing these data has identified characteristics unique to and essential for tailoring a blood pressure system specific for this patient population.
Comparison of CAS Medical NIBP in the Medtronic LifePak 12 vs. SunTech Medical Advantage 2.0 For over 20 years, SunTech Medical has been a leading provider of Blood Pressure products. Our sole focus on blood pressure has allowed us to study various patient populations and to design equipment specific to their particular needs.
For several years we have focused on the prehospital market and the requirements of taking trustworthy blood pressure readings on these patients. The requirements are especially onerous due to the dynamic EMS environment and possible changes in a critical patient's physiology. One can expect reliability and accuracy from most well made instruments in perfect environments. Variability of patients aside, the field can be separated by how they perform in a real world environment encountered by EMS professionals.
A Controlled Laboratory Comparison of three NIBP Devices on Cats and Dogs SunTech Medical, Inc. is a leading global provider of blood pressure monitors and non-invasive blood pressure technologies (OEM). We have always recognized the need for highly specialized equipment for different markets and environments. Our sole focus on blood pressure for over twenty years has allowed us to study various patient populations and design equipment specific to the needs of that patient group.
While there are no formal veterinary regulatory requirements or guidelines, SunTech Medical, Inc. has recognized the need and obligation to study veterinary populations.
Rationale for Clinical Monitors and Validation of the Oscillometric Method SunTech Medical, Inc. is a leading global provider of blood pressure monitors and non-invasive blood pressure technologies (OEM). We have always recognized the need for highly specialized equipment for different markets and environments. Our sole focus on blood pressure for over twenty years has allowed us to study various patient populations and design equipment specific to the needs of that patient group.
We are the only company with proprietary algorithms for auscultatory, oscillometric, stress, transport motion, patient motion, veterinary, dialysis, pediatric, neo-natal, ambulatory, geriatric, and bariatric applications. Our Advantage series of modules accommodate many of these applications in a single, robust platform.
Improvements in Electromagnetic Compatibility for the Advantage OEM Module Series For over 20 years, SunTech Medical, Inc. has been a leading provider of Blood Pressure technology to monitoring and defibulator companies. Our sole focus on blood pressure allows us to study various patient populations and to develop algorithms specific to the needs and environments of those patient groups. We are the only company with proprietary algorithms for auscultatory, oscillometric, stress, transport motion, patient motion, veterinary, dialysis, pediatric, neo-natal, ambulatory, geriatric, and bariatric applications. Our Advantage OEM Module Series provides for many of these applications in a single, robust platform.
Our monitors and modules are used in almost every environment where accurate BP is required. Each of these environments have different susceptibility and radiated emissions requirements. For instance, a pre-hospital transport device has need of a module with fewer emissions and reduced susceptibility than a home healthcare device. This is due to higher levels of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) within the transport environment.
Clinical Evaluation of an Oscillometric NIBP Technology During Hemodialysis According to the British Hypertension Society Protocol Objectives Existing concerns over the accuracy of automated blood pressure measurement on hemodialysis patients illustrates a need for a proven non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) technology for monitoring during hemodialysis. We investigated an oscillometric blood pressure technology from SunTech Medical designed for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients during hemodialysis using a modified British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol.
Methods Evaluation of the AdvantageTM HDM NIBP monitoring technology from SunTech Medical was performed against manual auscultatory observer readings using the grading criteria of the British Hypertension Society protocol. 85 subjects were included in the study giving a total of 255 data pairs for comparison. Readings were made using simultaneous same-arm measurement with observers using a dual-head stethoscope and a calibrated mercury sphygmomanometer as a reference to the Advantage HDM technology.
Results The mean differences and standard deviations were exceptionally close with -0.03± 5.4 and 0.44± 5.0 for systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. With 71% of all systolic blood pressure reference vs. technology differences equal to or less than 5mmHg, and 72% of all similar differences for diastolic pressure equal to or less than 5mmHg, the Advantage HDM technology received an A grade for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurement per the BHS grading criteria.
Conclusion The Advantage HDM technology achieved an A/A grade for systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurement. As the population for this evaluation was exclusively ESRD patients during hemodialysis treatment, the Advantage HDM non-invasive blood pressure monitoring technology can be recommended for clinical use during hemodialysis.
Evaluation of a Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring Technology During Emergency Transport Conditions as Compared to the ProPaq LT Objectives In most emergency transport environments, both patients and medical equipment are exposed to unstable circumstances due to the vehicle's movement and vibration. The noise and motion artifact generated often make it difficult to obtain a successful automated blood pressure reading. To address these complications, SunTech Medical has developed an oscillometric NIBP technology designed specifically for emergency transport applications. We performed a clinical evaluation of this technology and compared it to a recognized market leader for monitoring vital signs during emergency transport.
Methods This clinical evaluation compared the performance of the AdvantageTM Transport Motion Tolerant (TMT) NIBP technology from SunTech Medical against blood pressure measurements made by the Welch Allyn ProPaq LT under emergency transport conditions. A total of 45 subjects participated in this study giving 450 total data points for inter-device comparison.
Results The ProPaq LT provided successful blood pressure measurements on 96.2% of all attempts while the Advantage TMT technology achieved a higher measurement success rate of 98.4%. On average, the ProPaq LT required 42.6 ± 23.2 seconds to complete a successful reading, while the Advantage TMT technology achieved a quicker and more consistent average reading time of 36.3 ± 15.0 seconds. Both devices performed well when compared to manual reference readings, however the ProPaq LT showed standard deviations considerably higher than the Advantage TMT technology.
Conclusion When tested under typical circumstances for emergency transport, the Advantage TMT NIBP technology consistently reported blood pressure readings at a quicker and more reliable rate than the ProPaq LT. The Advantage TMT also demonstrated significantly less variability than the ProPaq LT without compromising overall accuracy.
Exercise Stress Testing: The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement Exercise stress testing began in the 1920s as researchers noticed changes in the ECG readings of patients suffering from angina. Over time and after thousands of examinations, clinicians were able to equate certain ECG waveform shapes and testing parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, exertion effort, and time) to abnormalities and pathologies. Today, the value of exercise stress testing for the prognostic assessment of patients is well accepted (Gibbons et al., 2002). In general terms, exercise stress testing is used to gauge how well the heart works when it has to pump harder and use more oxygen. As a patient walks on a treadmill or rides a stationary bike, exercise intensity is increased in order to mimic the strain placed on the heart when arteries are blocked or narrowed.
Accuracy of Automated Auscultatory BP Measurement During Supine Exercise and Treadmill Stress Electrocardiogram Testing Objectives Monitoring of brachial blood pressure during exercise-electrocardiogram (ECG) testing is mandatory and changes in blood pressure (BP) can provide critical management evidence. Patient movement, mechanical vibration, artifactual sounds and observer variability make standard manual techniques problematic. This was an investigator-initiated study to assess an automated auscultatory technique of BP assessment [Tango exercise blood pressure monitor (SunTech Medical Instruments, NC, USA)] to adequately measure BP during stress-ECG testing.
Methods Initially five fit young male volunteers underwent invasive right brachial artery BP recording using a low-compliance fluid-filled catheter with simultaneous manual and automated assessment. Secondarily, during exercise-ECG testing, the system was assessed against beat-to-beat brachial blood pressures obtained from a catheter-tip solid-state pressure manometer positioned in the ipsilateral brachial artery.
Results In the supine study overall mean difference (+/-SEM) between invasive and manual blood pressures was 3.26 (1.53) and 3.89 (1.90) mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP) respectively. Corresponding differences between invasive and automated results, and manual and automated were 3.68 (0.84) and -7.31 (1.83) mmHg, and -0.64 (+/-1.43) and -11.42 (+/-1.59) mmHg. During treadmill exercise-ECG testing the combined mean difference (+/-SEM) between invasive and automated SBP and DBP was 4.79 (+/-0.14) and 6.33 (+/-0.10) mmHg, respectively.
Conclusion Automated BP assessment during exercise-ECG testing is feasible with the use of appropriate automatic devices likely to be at least as accurate as manual BP registration. The Tango device is tolerant to exercise and provides reliable automatic BP assessment with absolute differences within an acceptable clinical range.
(C) 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
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The accuracy and clinical validation of the SunTech 247 The accuracy of a blood pressure (BP) device or monitor is often determined by comparing its measurement relative to the measurement of an observer using a mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope on the same patient. The human observer with this setup in a controlled environment, with a meticulously prepared patient, and the practice of careful measurement is considered to be the gold standard of non-invasive blood pressure measurement. Measurements taken in this manner are the basis for the levels that are the current definitions of high BP or hypertension, 140/90, and normal BP, 120/801.
Better Care for hypertensive patients—Better Business for a medical practice: Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring improves the quality of care for patients with hypertension while adding revenue to a practice In recent years, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has become a commonly used tool for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. Much of this growth was enhanced by the 2001 decision of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to begin reimbursement of ABPM for evaluation of “white-coat” hypertension. However, because of the focus on “white-coat” hypertension, there has been much confusion and misinformation as to whether ABPM is even a covered medical procedure. Understanding the clinical benefits and reimbursement of ABPM presents a valuable, yet often-missed opportunity for both physicians and sales representatives who might distribute these devices.
Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement: Why do monitors read high? If you have ever used an automated monitor to measure blood pressure, you probably have encountered a reading you thought was too high. In these situations, clinicians usually take a measurement themselves using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope to either confirm the reading or question whether the monitor is working properly. If the reading is confirmed, you and your patient may be surprised to realize that your patient’s BP is not what you expected. Alternatively, if the reading is different, you may wonder if your monitor is calibrated or operating correctly. Regardless of the situation, why is this happening at all?
Pinpointing Korotkoff During Stress Tests Accurate and consistent monitoring of brachial blood pressure during ECG stress testing is both critical and difficult. New techniques offer an improved analysis.
Copyright 2005: The International Review of Patient Care , SPG Media Group, PLC.
Ten Factors that Can Temporarily Elevate Blood Pressure Readings Most people do not realize their blood pressure is constantly changing minute by minute in response to mood, activity, body position, etc. In fact, simple changes in your body, environment, and activities significantly impact your blood pressure and cause your blood pressure to fluctuate between 5 and 40 mmHg. It is important for medical professionals and patients to know factors that can temporarily cause significant deviations in blood pressure measurements to avoid misdiagnosis of hypertension and inappropriate prescriptions of anti-hypertension medications. Below is a list of 10 factors that can temporarily cause significant deviations in your blood pressure measurements.
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