Mechanisms by which the Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer underestimates blood pressure and produces a non-random distribution of RZ values

Journal of Human Hypertension

Volumn 11, Issue 2, 1997, Pages 75-93

  Brown, W C B ^a   Kennedy, S ^a   Inglis, G C ^a   Murray, L S ^a   Lever, A F ^a,b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW   (United Kingdom)

^b WESTERN INFIRMARY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Blood pressure; Hawksley sphygmomanometer; Observer bias; Random zero

Indexed keywords

MERCURY;

ACCURACY; ARTICLE; BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING; CUFF; DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE; EXPERIENCE; HUMAN; HYPERTENSION; OPERATOR; RELIABILITY; SPHYGMOMANOMETER; SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE; TECHNIQUE; TIME;

EID: 0030923257     PISSN: 09509240     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1000405     Document Type: Article

References (22)

1. Conroy RM, O'Brien EO, O'Malley K, Atkins N. Measurement error in the Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer: what damage has been done and what can we learn? Br Med J 1993; 306: 1319-1322.
2. Evans JG, Prior IAM. Experience with the random zero sphygmomanometer. Br J Prev Soc Med 1970; 24: 10-15.
3. Labarthe DR, Hawkins CM, Remington RD. Evaluation of performance of selected devices for measuring blood pressure. Am J Cardiol 1973; 32: 546-553.
4. Kronmal RA, Rutan GH, Manolio TA, Borhani NO. Properties of the random zero sphygmomanometer. Hypertension 1993; 21: 632-637.
5. De Gaudemaris R, Folsom AR, Prineas RJ, Leupker RV. The random-zero versus the standard mercury sphygmomanometer: a systematic blood pressure difference. Am J Epidemiol 1985; 121: 282-290.
6. Parker D et al. A comparison of the random-zero and standard mercury sphygmomanometers. Hypertension 1988; 11: 269-272.
7. O'Brien E, Mee F, Atkins N, O'Malley K. Inaccuracy of the Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer. Lancet 1990; 336: 1465-1468.
8. Mackie A, Whincup P, McKinnon M. Does the Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer underestimate blood pressure, and by how much? J Hum Hypertens 1995; 9: 337-343.
9. Kinirons MT et al. Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer versus the standard sphygmomanometer; an investigation of mechanisms. J Hum Hypertens 1995; 9: 571-573.
10. Holmes A, Beevers DG, Beevers M. The value of the Hawksley Random-Zero Sphygmomanometer. Am J Hypertens 1993; 6: 94-95 (Letter).
11. Birkett NJ. Potential problems with the random-zero sphygmomanometer. Hypertension 1994; 23: 254-257.
12. O'Brien E, Mee F, Atkins N, Thomas M. Evaluation of three devices for self-measurement of blood pressure according to the revised British Hypertension Society Protocol: The Omron HEM-705CP, Philips HP5332, Nissei DS-175. Blood Pressure Monitoring 1996; 1: 55-61.
13. Brown WCB et al. Four remediable faults of the Hawksley random zero sphygmanometer. Blood Pressure Monitoring 1996; 1 (Suppl 2): S59-S62.
14. Fitzgerald DJ, O'Malley K, O'Brien ET. Inaccuracy of London School of Hygiene sphygmomanometer. Br Med J 1982; 284: 18-19.
15. Wright BM, Dore CF, A random-zero sphygmomanometer. Lancet 1970; i: 337-338.
16. Felix WR et al. Ultrasound measurement of arm and leg blood pressures. JAMA 1973; 226: 1096-1099.
17. Fotherby MD, Panayiotou B, Potter JF. Age-related differences in simultaneous interarm blood pressure measurements. Postgrad Med J 1993; 69: 194-196.
18. Gould BA et al. Is the blood pressure the same in both arms? Clin Cardiol 1985; 8: 423-426.
19. Conroy RM, Shelley E, O'Brien E, Atkins N. Ergonomic problems with the Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer and their effect on recorded blood pressure levels. Blood Pressure 1996; 5: 227-233.
20. Garrow JS. Zero-muddler for unprejudiced sphygmomanometry. Lancet 1963: ii: 1205.
21. Garrow JS. Inaccuracy of the Hawksley random-zero sphygmomanometer. Lancet 1991; 337: 886 (Letter).
22. O'Brien E. Will mercury manometers soon be obsolete? J Hum Hypertens 1995; 9: 933-934.