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Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is the gold standard method for assessing arterial stiffness. This study evaluated automated brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) taken by a professional oscillometric blood pressure monitor (Microlife WatchBP Office Vascular) versus reference cfPWV (Complior device). Subjects recruited from a hypertension outpatient clinic had duplicate baPWV and cfPWV measurements (randomized crossover design) and carotid ultrasonography. Of 102 subjects recruited, 101 had valid baPWV measurements. Four subjects were excluded and 97 were analyzed (age 58.3 ± 11.4 years, men 70%, hypertensives 76%, diabetics 17%, cardiovascular disease 10%, smokers 23%). The mean difference between baPWV (13.1 ± 1.8 m/s) and cfPWV (9.1 ± 1.8 m/s) was 4.0 ± 1.4 m/s (P < .01) with close association between them (r = 0.70, P < .01). baPWV and cfPWV were correlated with age (r 0.54/0.49 respectively), systolic blood pressure (0.45/0.50), carotid intima-media thickness (0.31/0.44), and carotid distensibility coefficient (-0.47/-0.34) (all P < .05; no difference between the two methods, z test). There was reasonable agreement (77%) between the two methods in identifying subjects at the top quartile of their distributions (kappa 0.39, P < .01). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the identification of carotid plaques were comparable for cfPWV and baPWV (0.79 and 0.74 respectively, P = NS). Automated baPWV measurement by a professional oscillometric blood pressure monitor is feasible and observer-independent. baPWV values differ from those by cfPWV, yet they are closely correlated, have reasonable agreement in detecting increased arterial stiffness and give similar associations with carotid stiffness and atherosclerosis.

Blood pressure (BP) monitors equipped with atrial fibrillation (AF) detection algorithm are attractive screening tools for AF in elderly hypertensives. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of a novel cuffless pocket‐size self‐BP monitor (Freescan, Maisense) equipped with an AF detection algorithm, which displays results for the detection of “AF” or “Arrhythmia” during routine BP measurement. Subjects aged >65 years or 60‐65 years with hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease were subjected to BP measurements using the Freescan device with simultaneous continuous Holter electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring. Readings with device notification “Instability” (29%) or “Error” (20%) were discarded. Data from 136 subjects with five valid Freescan BP measurements were analyzed (age 73.8 ± 7.1 years, males 63%, treated hypertensives 88%, AF in ECG 21%). Analysis of 680 Freescan readings vs ECG revealed specificity 99%, sensitivity 67%, and diagnostic accuracy 93% for AF diagnosis. When the “Arrhythmia” notification was considered as AF diagnosis, the sensitivity was improved (93%, 96%, and 93%, respectively). Analysis of AF diagnosis in subjects (diagnosis defined as at least three of five readings indicating “AF” or “Arrhythmia”) revealed specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy for AF detection at 94%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. These data suggest that the Freescan cuffless device could be used as a useful screening tool for AF detection during routine self‐measurement of BP in the elderly.