Abstract TMP105: Location Does Matter: Comparing the Location of Blood Pressure Management in an Intensive Care Unit Setting
Background and Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) management is a vital part of acute stroke care. Both over- and under-correction of BP are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive BP (NIBP) and intra-arterial BP (ABP) measurements are commonly used, yet both methods yield inconsistent results. Measurement error can hinder optimal clinical management in neurological conditions where BP directly affects cerebral perfusion pressures. Discrepancy in clinical decision-making associated with BP measurement is rarely reported. This prospective, non-randomized, cross-sectional study aims to address the gap by correlating simultaneous within-subject BP readings from multiple sites. Methods: NIBP was simultaneously measured from 4 sites (both arms, both wrists) and ABP (when available) in 80 intensive care unit subjects. Correlation matrices and repeated measures ANOVA were used to explore for differences in BP by measurement site. Results: Of 80 subjects, 41 were male, mean age = 52.8, and mean BMI = 30. Pearson Correlation Coefficients for SBP ranged from 0.67 to 0.83; DBP from 0.77 to 0.84; and MAP from 0.76 to 0.88. (Figure 1). SBP differences ranged from 0 to 57 mmHg and MAP differences ranged from 0 to 36 mmHg. One-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly different values for SBP (p=0.0319); DBP (p=0.0002); and MAP (p=0.0001). Conclusions: BP values vary significantly when measured simultaneously in different sites. Unpredictable inter-site comparisons of BP warrant significant research in larger prospective trials. Nurses should consider standardizing a measurement site for consistent BP readings and better clinical decision-making.