Background
: A reliable, well-validated home blood pressure(BP) self measurement device could have an important role in the management of hypertension. Rigorous assessment of such a device has not performed well, particularly in the hypertensive range.
Method : We assessed the National EW274W device(oscillometric) for home measurement of BP according to the standards set out by the British Hypertension Society protocol and American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI). The device was compared with sequential measurements using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer in the same arm in 105 patients aged 16-79 years. The BP of subjects was measured three times at least a week apart. These data were analysed using Pearson's correlation and paired t-test.

Results : The device was highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer in mean systolic BP(SBP) and mean diastolic BP(DBP)(r=0.93, r=0.93, P<0.05). The device was satisfactory over the whole BP range(SBP 106-182mmHg, DBP 56-116mmHg), with a B grade for SBP and a A grade for DBP(British Hypertension Society protocol)and a PASS for both SBP and DBP(AAMI). Sensitivity and specificity are 84.2%, 93.0%(mean SBP) and 100%, 96.9%(mean DBP).

Conclusion : We concluded the wrist blood pressure meter(National EW274W) for home BP measurement is highly satisfactory and is suitable for clinical use.

Background
: Recently, it is substituted automatic sphygmomanometer for mercury sphygmomanometer. But it seems to be insufficient for data of its accuracy. A sample ac-curate automatic sphygmomanometer could have an important role in the management of hypertension. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of the automatic sphygmo-manometer that is used common practice and at home.

Methods : We collected 247 patients who visited the department of Family Practice of Taegu medical center from April to August 1996. BP was measured sequentially same arm by standard device(mercury, sphygmomanometer), test device A(A&D TM-2650), test de-vice B(seine SE-2000). We assessed the automatic sphygmomanometer according to the standards set out by the British Hypertension Society(BHS) protocol and the American As-sociation for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI). These data were ana-lysed using pearson' correlation and paired t-test.

Results : Test device A was highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer in systolic and diastolic BP(r=0.90, r=0.88). Also test device B was highly correlated to that(r=0.90, r=0.87). The mean difference between BP value obtained by the standard device and those obtained by the test device A were 0.59±7.66mmHg systole(mean±SD) and 3.83±6.43mmHg diastole, whereas the difference between the former and those obtained by the test device B were 1.70±7.99mmHg systole. and 5.58±6.38mmHg diastole. Comparing to standard device, there were a significant difference except systolic BP of test device A(P<0.05). According to the criteria of the AAMI, the diastolic BP of test device B was not enough and according to the criteria of te BHS, the diastolic BP of both test device were not enough.

Conclusion : Both test device were highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer. But according to the criteria of the BHS and AAMI, there were not enough. Because the use of automatic sphygmomanometer was popularized, I think that further study will be required to assess of accuracy.