Evaluation of the Colin STBP-680 at rest and during exercise: an automated blood pressure monitor using R-wave gating

The application of automated blood pressure measurement during exercise has been limited by inaccuracies introduced by the effects of accompanying motion and noise. We evaluated a newly developed automated blood pressure monitor for measuring exercise blood pressure (Colin STBP-680; Colin, San Antonio, Texas, USA). The STBP-680 uses acoustic transduction with the assistance of the electrocardiogram R-wave to trigger the sampling period for blood pressure measurement. The automated monitor readings were compared with simultaneous technician mercury sphygmomanometric readings in the same arm. Blood pressure was measured in 18 men at rest and during exercise at 40% V ̇o_2peak, (low intensity), 70% V ̇o_2peak (moderate intensity) and V ̇o_2peak (high intensity) on the cycle ergometer. Mean(s.d.) systolic blood pressure difference between the automated monitor and mercury manometer readings at rest and during exercise at low, moderate and high work intensities were 3(0) mmHg, 3(2) mmHg, 1(1) mmHg, and 0(11) mmHg respectively (analysis of variance; P > 0.05). Resting diastolic blood pressure obtained with the STBP-680 was similar to the mercury manometer readings (78(10) versus 81(7) mmHg (P > 0.05). Exercise diastolic pressure at the low level of work intensity was almost identical between the automated monitor and mercury manometer readings (64(8) versus 65(10) mmHg (not significant)). Diastolic blood pressure readings between the STBP-680 and mercury manometer showed a greater difference at the moderate and high workloads (11 mmHg and 9 mmHg, respectively), but this difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The correlation for repeated submaximal exercise blood pressure determined by the STBP-680 was significant (40% V ̇o_2peak systolic/diastolic, r = 0.70 0.61, P < 0.05 0.05), 70% V ̇o_2peak systolic/diastolic, r = 0.75 0.71, P < 0.05 0.05). These data show that the Colin STBP-680 accurately assessed systolic and diastolic pressure during rest and exercise, with the exception of diastolic pressure at moderate and high work intensity. Our findings show the STBP-680 has good potential in measuring exercise blood pressure, and is recommended as an alternative method for measuring blood pressure at low levels of work intensity.