Estimates of central blood pressure (BP) using the Vicorder have recently been validated in the catheter-and clinical-laboratory settings. The aim of the present study was to compare estimates of central BP obtained with the Vicorder and SphygmoCor, in a routine, community-based screening setting.

Paired Vicorder and SphygmoCor measurements of central BP were available in 1032 individuals, age range 20–93 years. Brachial cuff BP was assessed using the Vicorder and central pressure derived from brachial cuff BP waveforms recorded with the same device. Brachial cuff pressure was also measured using an Omron 705CP and radial pressure waveforms recorded using the SphygmoCor. Both approaches used the respective brachial systolic and diastolic BP for peripheral waveform calibration, and the order in which Vicorder and SphygmoCor measurements were made was random.

Brachial cuff BP measured with the Vicorder and Omron devices were highly correlated (r=0.80, P<0.001, SBP; r=0.74, P<0.001, DBP) and in reasonable agreement, with a mean difference (±SD) between devices of 4±11 mmHg for SBP (P<0.001) and 5±7 mmHg for DBP (P<0.001). Similarly, estimates of cSBP were highly correlated (r=0.82, P<0.001) and in reasonable agreement (mean difference of 2±10 mmHg, P<0.001). In younger individuals, Vicorder-derived cSBP tended to underestimate SphygmoCor-derived values (Figure).

When used in routine practice, the Vicorder and SphygmoCor produce similar estimates of central systolic BP, although a greater disparity tended to be present in younger individuals. The ease of a cuff-based system for estimating central pressure is likely to be better suited to community-based screening programmes.

Figure

Estimates of central systolic BP obtained with the Vicorder and SphygmoCor devices across the age range.