Background: Measuring blood pressure with mercury-independent alternatives is rapidly gaining attention. Mercury will be phased out of clinical use as a result of environmental, health and safety concerns and it is of vital importance that any alternative to mercury has to be of a recognized standard. We assessed the accuracy of the Maxi Stabil 3 aneroid device in an adult population according to a modified British Hypertension Society protocol (with the low systolic category changed from less than 90 mmHg to less than 100 mmHg).
Population: Eighty-five subjects were recruited from among staff and patients at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK.
Methods: The aneroid device was connected in parallel to two mercury sphygmomanometers. Nine sequential same-arm measurements were taken from each subject by two trained observers, alternating between mercury sphygmomanometry and the aneroid device. Simultaneous mercury readings were also recorded for additional analysis.
Results: The device achieved an A grade for both systolic and diastolic pressures and fulfilled the requirements of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. The mean and standard deviation for systolic and diastolic pressures respectively were -0.6 (4.6) mmHg and -1.3 (3.5) mmHg in sequential analysis, and -1.3 (2.2) mmHg and -1.9 (2.7) mmHg in simultaneous analysis.
Conclusion: The Maxi Stabil aneroid device can be recommended for use in an adult population.