Terminological aspects of blood pressure measurement

Abstract

Aim. To assess the consistency of blood pressure (BP) measurement terminology for Korotkoff method.

Material and methods. In total, 29 individuals, aged 22-85 years (mean age 63,3+2,8 years) were examined (9 healthy persons, 5 gastro-intestinal patients, 15 patients with arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease. Brachial artery (BA) was examined by Korotkoff method, using Riva-Rocci manometer, as well as by duplex scanning. Maximal (max) and minimal (min) blood flow velocity (V cm/s), vessel diameter, "live" cross-sectional area, volume blood output (Q cm3/s), and relative kinetic energy, or velocity intensity (hv) were measured.

Results. V and Q were 7 times greater for systole than diastole, for hv the difference was 47-fold. For BA, diastolic Q and blood flow hv were 3 and 5 times, respectively, lower than venous ones. Therefore, BP in diastole was no higher than 8-10 mm Hg, and diastolic BP (DBP) was inconsistent with last Korotkoff tone values. First and last Korotkoff tones are formed in systole, due to varying intensity of hemodynamic blow, true systolic BP (SBP) is lower than BP min by 15-20 mm Hg on manometer scale.

Conclusion. All Korotkoff BP parameters reflect varying intensity of systolic blood blow, and the last tone value is greater than SBP level by 15-20 mm Hg. DBP could not be measured by this method; consequently, "pulse BP" term is incorrect.