An experience in implementing the oscillometric algorithm for the noninvasive determination of human blood pressure

This article presents an algorithm for the automated measurement of the blood pressure using the oscillometric method, as well as the development of software. The oscillometric technique calculates blood pressure values applying mathematical methods to the pulse index waveform. In this application the height criteria to calculate systolic and diastolic pressures is used. In the development of the algorithm several factors were considered: parameterization of the oscillatory pulses by the area below the oscillometric index pulse curve, criteria to adjust the base line, softening of the index pulse envelope curve to reject artifacts and determination of the mean, systolic and diastolic pressures. The algorithm and medical device have been evaluated with very good results and are in current use in the Cuban health system.