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Model Based Analysis Of The Accuracy And Precision Of Auscultatory Blood Pressure Measurements In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Working Papers

Accurate measurement of blood pressure in the presence of atrial fibrillation remains an open problem. The present study combines the techniques of stochastic mathematical modeling with physiological models of the systemic circulation, cuff, and arm (1) to explore mechanisms underlying both the lack of accuracy and the lack of precision in cuff-based arterial pressure measurements during atrial fibrillation and (2) to develop strategies to correct for errors. Both the cardiovascular system and the measurement technique are described using mathematics, including both numerical techniques and analytical probability theory. Preliminary results with numerical models suggested that, despite variability, average systolic pressures tend …