Comparison of brachial and central blood pressures using an oscillometric device with 2 or 6 metre tubing lengths for assessment of central pressure during MRI exam

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the possibility to measure local and regional indices of aortic function. However calculations of these indices usually require blood pressure (BP) values. Up to now, because of its easier availability, brachial BP was used instead of local aortic pressure. The SphygmoCor Xcel system (AtCor Medical, Australia) estimates aortic pressure noninvasively. It consists in a MRI compatible brachial cuff connected via a hose to a recording unit and computer. The aim of this study was to compare brachial and central BP values given by SphgymoCor Xcel with the standard 2 meters hose and a 6 meters hose more suitable for central BP assessment during MRI.