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Errors in the Measurement of Blood Pressure
Author(s) -
Fleming Susan E.,
Horvath John S.,
Korda Andrew
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1983.tb00561.x
Subject(s) - supine position , blood pressure , medicine , body position , cardiology , diastole , critical closing pressure , anesthesia , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Summary: The effect of posture on blood pressure measurement in pregnant and non‐pregnant subjects was studied. In non‐pregnant patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, central blood pressure remained unaltered with a change from the supine to the lateral position. However in all subjects studied, an apparent decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred when measured in the upper arm in the lateral position. This fall is artifactual and does not represent a change in blood pressure. It is concluded that blood pressure measurements in the lateral position are inaccurate.