Evaluation of the SCHILLER BR-102 plus noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the International Protocol introduced by the Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension

Abstract

To evaluate the SCHILLER BR-102 plus (Schiller AG, Baar, Switzerland) noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure recorder according to the International Protocol for validation of blood pressure measuring devices in adults introduced by the Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension. One SCHILLER BR-102 plus blood pressure recorder was tested by a validation team, consisting of three persons: two observers (nurses) and a doctor, acting as supervisor and 'expert'. The European Society of Hypertension International Protocol comprises two phases. Fifteen participants were recruited for the first phase and, following a successful test, a further 18 persons (giving a total of 33) were recruited additionally. For phase 1, five of the 15 participants had systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in each of the ranges: low, medium and high. For phase 2, 11 of the 33 participants (including the first 15 participants) had systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in each of the ranges. The mercury standard for validation was preferred over the optional Sphygmocorder. Because the SCHILLER BR-102 plus has the oscillometric method as backup to the basic auscultatory measurement, both systems of measurement were subjected to individual validations. Results obtained show that the SCHILLER BR-102 plus noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure recorder meets all the requirements specified in the International Protocol for both oscillometric and auscultatory methods. On the basis of these results, the SCHILLER BR-102 plus can be recommended for ambulatory blood pressure measurement in clinical practice using both auscultatory and oscillometric modes.