Another Look at Noninvasive Continuous Arterial Pressure Monitoring

The Nexfin is a noninvasive finger-cuff device that uses photoplethysmographic technology to continuously measure arterial pressure. To compare Nexfin measurements to intra-arterial pressure (IAP) measured by ipsilateral radial artery catheterization, researchers recorded blood pressures (BPs) with both methods every 5 seconds during induction of elective anesthesia in 31 adults.

A total of 3479 paired measurements were analyzed. The Nexfin reliably and quickly detected 100% of arterial pressure changes. Mean differences between the Nexfin and IAP measurements at BP nadir were −1 mm Hg for systolic BP and −7 mm Hg for diastolic BP, but there was wide variation in the actual measurements (e.g., −28 to +25 mm Hg for systolic BP). Corresponding…