A comparison of invasive and non-invasive blood pressure in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A comparison of invasive and non-invasive blood pressure readings in children undergoing cardiac catheterisation.
IRAS ID
166344
Contact name
Richard Beringer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study involves the prospective collection of data during cardiac catheterisation procedures in children and no change to their normal care
There are two common methods for measuring blood pressure in anaesthetised children:
1. Non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) using an inflatable cuff and automatic oscillometric pump
2. Invasive blood pressure recording (IBP) using a catheter inserted into an artery
NIBP is the most commonly used technique as it is easy and avoids potential arterial damage. IBP is more accurate and considered the gold standard method, however it is invasive with a risk of causing trauma.
We believe this research is important because there is little published data on the correlation between invasive and non-invasive blood pressure readings. In our institution in the last two years we have had three critical incidents in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory where hypotension may have been a contributing factor. In all three cases, there was a disparity between the measured invasive and non-invasive blood pressure values.
We have chosen to perform this study in the cardiac catheter lab because NIBP and IBP are routinely used simultaneously.
This allows us to perform our study with making any change to the way in which the child would usually be cared for.
NIBP is measured every five minutes by the anaesthetist. As part of the procedure, arterial catheters are inserted by the cardiologist for diagnostic purposes - this allows an opportunity to compare the two values.
By prospectively recording the blood pressure values routinely recorded in the cath lab, we may analyse the correlation between the two. This will allow us to better understand how accurate our NIBP readings are likely to be, and help decide whether in some situations we would be better using IBP.
We aim to study children being cared for in the cardiac catheter theatre, aged from newborns to 16 years.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0518
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion