Why do I Prefer the Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitor over the Doppler
Oscillometric blood pressure measurement and Doppler blood pressure measurement are two different techniques used in healthcare settings. The 2018 ACVIM guidelines do not recommend any device for any breed, sex, age or body weight. Each has its advantages and limitations, and the choice between them depends on various factors including the patient's condition, the setting of measurement, and the equipment available. The Pros of oscillometric blood pressure measurement are non-invasive, automated and can be cycled easily at different interval, less technique-dependent (especially compared to Doppler, which requires proper positioning and alignment of the Doppler probe). Cons include costs, and some frustrations from medical professionals regarding the “black box” effect.
The Pros of Doppler blood pressure measurement includes a beat-to-beat continuous monitoring and the ubiquity of the device in veterinary medicine. The main Cons is that it measures flow, and not pressure, and therefore the value provided can be closer to the Systolic, Mean blood pressure, or in between. Other Cons are the relative invasiveness of the device, and the need for several operators.
In veterinary medicine, there are limited studies comparing Doppler and Oscillometric blood pressure to the gold standard of direct blood pressure. However, all data available seems to show that the oscillometric device is more accurate than the Doppler. The choice between the two methods may depend on the specific clinical scenario and the capabilities of the veterinary clinic.
- Understand Limitations of Doppler Blood Pressure
- Understand Limitations of Oscillometric Blood Pressure
- Recall the data comparing Oscillometric, Doppler and invasive (gold standard) Blood Pressure
- Be able to make a Pros and Cons list for Oscillometric vs Doppler Blood pressure
