University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Brachial and radial systolic blood pressure are not the same: evidence to support the Popeye phenomenon

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 05:30 authored by Matthew Armstrong, Martin SchultzMartin Schultz, Dean PiconeDean Picone, Black, JA, Dwyer, N, Roberts-Thomson, P, James SharmanJames Sharman
Radial intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) is sometimes used as the reference standard for validation of brachial cuff BP devices. Moreover, there is an emerging wearables market seeking to measure BP at the wrist. However, radial systolic BP may differ when compared with brachial; yet some authors have labeled these differences as a fictional Popeye phenomenon. Indeed, differences between brachial and radial systolic BP have never been accurately quantified, and this was the aim of this study. Intra-arterial BP was measured consecutively at the brachial and radial artery in 180 participants undergoing coronary angiography (aged 61±10 years; 69% men). On average, radial systolic BP was 5.5 mm Hg higher than brachial systolic BP. Only 43% of participants had radial systolic BP within ±5 mm Hg of brachial. Additionally, 46%, 19%, and 13% of participants had radial systolic BP >5, between 5 and 10, and between 10 and 15 mm Hg higher than brachial respectively. A further 14% of participants had radial systolic BP >15 mm Hg higher than brachial, representing the so-called Popeye phenomenon. Finally, 11% of participants had radial systolic BP >5 mm Hg lower than brachial. In conclusion, radial systolic BP is not representative of brachial systolic BP, with most participants having a radial systolic BP >5 mm Hg higher than brachial and many with differences >15 mm Hg. Therefore, validation testing of BP devices utilizing intra-arterial BP as the reference standard should use intra-arterial BP measured at the same site as the brachial cuff or wearable device.

History

Publication title

Hypertension

Volume

73

Issue

5

Pagination

1036-1041

ISSN

0194-911X

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Place of publication

530 Walnut St, Philadelphia, USA, Pa, 19106-3621

Rights statement

Copyright 2019 American Heart Association, Inc.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC