Abstract
Background:
The appeal in the convenience of cuffless blood pressure (BP) estimation in the current movement toward out-of-clinic health monitoring has seen a proliferation of commercially available cuffless BP devices. Obtaining accurate measurements using cuffless techniques is a known challenge. Knowledge of cuffless BP device accuracy is important if devices are to be used for anything beyond a personal curiosity.
Aim:
To investigate claims of accuracy of commercial cuffless BP devices.
Methods:
General internet searching was performed to identify as many commercially available cuffless BP devices as possible. Identified devices were then searched across peer-reviewed literature, company websites and patents for claims of device accuracy. The captured documents were then reviewed.
Results:
201 commercial devices were identified that reported the ability to estimate BP without use of a cuff. Claims of accuracy were found for 8 devices. Of these, the majority were validated at the same BP at which they were calibrated at and did not give an indication of accuracy if BP varied from the calibration point. No commercial devices have been tested using guidelines for validation of cuffless BP devices (e.g. IEEE standard 1708/1708a for wearable, cuffless BP measuring devices).
Conclusions:
Whilst there is a proliferation of commercial cuffless BP devices, there are few devices with published information on accuracy. Guidelines for cuffless BP device validation are not being utilised. Improvements in validation methodology and reporting is essential if cuffless BP data is to be used in research, medicine or to guide public health knowledge and decision making.
The appeal in the convenience of cuffless blood pressure (BP) estimation in the current movement toward out-of-clinic health monitoring has seen a proliferation of commercially available cuffless BP devices. Obtaining accurate measurements using cuffless techniques is a known challenge. Knowledge of cuffless BP device accuracy is important if devices are to be used for anything beyond a personal curiosity.
Aim:
To investigate claims of accuracy of commercial cuffless BP devices.
Methods:
General internet searching was performed to identify as many commercially available cuffless BP devices as possible. Identified devices were then searched across peer-reviewed literature, company websites and patents for claims of device accuracy. The captured documents were then reviewed.
Results:
201 commercial devices were identified that reported the ability to estimate BP without use of a cuff. Claims of accuracy were found for 8 devices. Of these, the majority were validated at the same BP at which they were calibrated at and did not give an indication of accuracy if BP varied from the calibration point. No commercial devices have been tested using guidelines for validation of cuffless BP devices (e.g. IEEE standard 1708/1708a for wearable, cuffless BP measuring devices).
Conclusions:
Whilst there is a proliferation of commercial cuffless BP devices, there are few devices with published information on accuracy. Guidelines for cuffless BP device validation are not being utilised. Improvements in validation methodology and reporting is essential if cuffless BP data is to be used in research, medicine or to guide public health knowledge and decision making.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
| Event | 42nd Annnual Scientific Meeting of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia - , Australia Duration: 1 Dec 2020 → 4 Dec 2020 Conference number: 42 |
Conference
| Conference | 42nd Annnual Scientific Meeting of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| Period | 1/12/20 → 4/12/20 |