[An Evaluation of the Spacelabs 90207 Model of the Ambulatory Arterial Pressure Monitoring System]

Background: The aim of the present study was to validate the SpaceLabs 90207 apparatus used in non-invasive outpatient monitoring of blood pressure.

Methods: The measurements of blood pressure (BP) and cardiac frequency (CF) obtained with the SpaceLabs monitor were compared with those obtained with a mercury sphygmomanometer used as the reference method in 86 patients with a wide range of ages and BP. The differences between both methods of measurement were quantified by a previously protocolized grade system from the British Hypertension Society (BHS).

Results: The mean of the differences between both systems of reading was 1.59 +/- 5.9 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) 1.05 +/- 4.4 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP) and -0.64 +/- 2.55 beats per minute for the CF. The accumulated percentage of differences of BP less than or equal to 5, 10 and 15 mmHg was of 74, 89 and 96%, respectively corresponding to grade B according to the validation protocol of the BHS. Grade B was obtained in all the interval differences of BP except within the range of DBP greater than or equal to 100 mmHg which showed grade A. Grades A or B were obtained in all the age groups except for grade C in the SBP of subjects over the age of 65.

Conclusions: The SpaceLabs 90207 monitor satisfies the criteria of internationally accepted validation criteria, therefore, its use can be recommended for the outpatient blood pressure measurement.