The goal of this study was to compare blood pressure measures using two sizes of cuffs: one standard width (12 cm) and other with correct width that is 0,38 of arm circumference as recommended by American Heart Association. The comparisons were done among surgical patients in mediate perioperative phase, reception area of operation room and postoperative phase during the staying of the patient in the recovery room. The results demonstrated that the arterial blood pressure was hipoestimated by the use of the standard width cuff, reaching values up 30mmHg in the systolic arterial pressure and 30 mmHg in the diastolic ones.
Blood pressure; Blood pressure determination