RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the Omron MIT Elite in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia according to the British Hypertension Society protocol (BHS). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Antenatal clinics and wards at St. Thomas' Hospital (London, UK). POPULATION: Forty-five pregnant women including 15 with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Nine sequential same arm blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken from each woman by trained observers, alternating between mercury sphygmomanometry and the test device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Grading criteria of the BHS protocol (A/B grade=pass; C/D=fail). RESULTS: The Omron MIT Elite achieved a grade A/A in both pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The mean difference (SD) between the mercury standard and the device in pregnancy was -1.1 (5.2)mmHg and 1.5 (4.8)mmHg for systolic and diastolic BP respectively compared to 0.2 (5.3)mmHg and 2.2 (5.5)mmHg in pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: The Omron MIT Elite can be recommended for use in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia according to the BHS protocol. To date, this is the most accurate automated BP device validated in pre-eclampsia.