A pioneering study by our Research and Innovation Team reveals that using invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring in pre-hospital emergency medicine offers far greater precision in treating patients with brain injuries, potentially helping prevent further brain damage.
Published in the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine the study is titled ’Diagnostic accuracy of pre-hospital invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring for haemodynamic management in traumatic brain injury and spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage.’
Researchers compared the accuracy of invasive arterial lines, which we introduced in February 2022, with the traditional non-invasive method using an arm cuff.
Patients with brain injuries, whether from trauma or spontaneous bleeding, need precise blood pressure management to prevent further brain damage. Previously, clinical teams would use a simple non-invasive arm cuff to guide treatment decisions.
The study found significant differences between the two methods, with the non-invasive arm cuff method tending to underestimate high blood pressure and overestimate low blood pressure.
The report’s authors conclude that invasive monitoring, widely used in hospitals, has the potential to provide more accurate patient care at the point of injury or illness, in some of the patients seen by KSS.
Jo Griggs, our Head of Research and Innovation commented: “Our findings underline the critical importance of accurate blood pressure monitoring in managing brain injuries. The use of invasive arterial lines can significantly enhance the precision of treatment, supporting clinical decision-making and potentially improving outcomes for patients.”
Our research team; Jo Griggs, Scott Clarke, Rob Greenhalgh, Adam Watts, Silas Houghton Budd, Jack Barrett, Kat Hunter, Michael Dias, Richard Lyon, and Ewoud ter Avest, found that arterial lines offer superior accuracy compared to non-invasive arm cuffs, which are still widely used in emergency care. Better accuracy in monitoring blood pressure at the scene allows for more tailored interventions, reducing the risk of secondary brain injury.
This study, led by Jo Griggs, is the latest from our Research and Innovation Team, which has an established reputation for helping to shape improvements in pre-hospital emergency medicine across the UK and internationally. Over the last ten years the team has published over 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals, covering clinical and operational research.
