Level 3 - Blood Pressure and Mercury Sphygmomanometers

• 1. SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Methodology
  • 1.3 Mercury Toxicity
• 2. Why is knowing blood pressure important?
• 3. How hard is it measure?
  • 3.1 Factors affecting blood pressure measurement
  • 3.2 Blood pressure measurements in routine clinical practice
  • 3.3 Blood pressure measurements in epidemiological / observational studies
  • 3.4 Mercury sphygmomanometers
    • 3.4.1 Characteristics
    • 3.4.2 Limitations
    • 3.4.3 Technical accuracy of Hg sphygmomanometers
• 4. What alternatives measurement devices are there?
  • 4.1 Technical aspects of the alternatives to Hg sphygmomanometers
  • 4.2 Auscultatory mercury-free sphygmomanometers
    • 4.2.1 Non-automated auscultatory devices
    • 4.2.2 Automated auscultatory devices
  • 4.3 Non-auscultatory mercury-free sphygmomanometers
• 5. How accurate are the alternatives?
  • 5.1 Clinical aspects of the alternatives to Hg sphygmomanometers
    • 5.1.1 Auscultatory devices
    • 5.1.2 Automated non-auscultatory (oscillometric) devices
    • 5.1.3 Conclusions/Discussion
• 6. Will alternative devices affect health care?
• 7. How are new devices tested for accuracy?
  • 7.1 Quality requirements for the alternatives to the Hg manometers
  • 7.2 Technical Verification
  • 7.3 Clinical validation
  • 7.4 Discussion
  • 7.5 Recommendations
• 8. Conclusion
  • 8.1 OPINION
  • 8.2 Specific answers to questions raised in the Terms of Reference
  • 8.3 MINORITY OPINION