Evaluation of Agreement Between Conical Forearm and Cylindrical Upper Arm Blood Pressure Cuffs in Pregnant Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the accuracy of two types of non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) cuffs in pregnant women, specifically focusing on hypertensive disease during pregnancy. This condition is diagnosed based on strict blood pressure thresholds, and improving measurement accuracy by even 5 mm Hg could significantly impact diagnosis and management. The study aims to compare a conical forearm cuff with a traditional cylindrical upper arm cuff, especially in morbidly obese women, where standard measurements can be less accurate. This research is important due to the rising rates of obesity and hypertensive disease among pregnant women in the United States and is sponsored by Northwestern University. After consenting, participants are assigned to one of four groups based on their blood pressure and obesity status: normotensive/non-obese, normotensive/obese, hypertensive/non-obese, or hypertensive/obese. Blood pressure measurements are taken using both a cylindrical upper arm cuff and a conical forearm cuff. Measurements are collected sequentially at multiple time points, with the order of cuff use randomized. Body measurements such as weight, height, arm circumference, and length are recorded. The study includes six sets of paired blood pressure readings during labor and delivery. Antihypertensive treatment decisions are made by obstetrical providers based on standard protocols and cylindrical cuff readings. Participants will undergo body and limb measurements, followed by multiple paired blood pressure readings in a sitting position during labor or induction. Both cuffs are used alternately, with measurements taken every few minutes over a period of time. Researchers will assess the agreement between systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures measured by the two cuff types. Patient satisfaction with each cuff will also be recorded. The study is expected to last about one year for each participant, with safety and treatment managed by the clinical care team throughout the process.

Conical Forearm and Cylindrical Upper Arm Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) Measurements in Pregnant Patients