How to Choose an ABPM Device: A Guide to SunTech Medical Oscar 2 and Bravo Mini
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a critical tool for tracking blood pressure throughout the day and night, giving healthcare providers more accurate data than traditional in-office readings.
If you’re considering investing in an ABPM device for your practice, the Suntech Medical Oscar 2 and SunTech Medical Bravo Mini are two excellent choices. SunTech Medical, a respected American company, specialises in blood pressure products used in cardiology, especially in motion-sensitive applications such as treadmill stress testing and transport defibrillator monitors.
But how do you decide which is the best fit for your needs? Read on to learn how to make an informed decision based on key features and functionalities of both devices.
Why ABPM Devices Are Essential
Before we dive into specific devices, let us briefly discuss the benefits of ABPM devices:
- 24-hour monitoring: Captures readings in a natural, everyday environment, providing more accurate and reliable data. This allows clinicians to track blood pressure variations throughout different activities and during sleep.
- Improved diagnosis: ABPM can identify different types of hypertension, such as:
- White Coat Hypertension: Elevated readings in a clinical setting due to anxiety but normal readings in daily life.
- Masked Hypertension: Normal readings in a clinical setting but elevated readings in daily life.
- Nocturnal Hypertension: Elevated blood pressure during sleep, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- Better hypertension management: Consistent data helps tailor treatments more effectively. For patients already on antihypertensive medications, ABPM can help determine the effectiveness of the treatment. It allows healthcare providers to adjust medications based on detailed blood pressure profiles, ensuring optimal control of hypertension.
5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an ABPM Device
1. Accuracy and Validations
ABPM devices used in a professional setting should conform to the strict standards of accuracy required for diagnosis.
- Both the SunTech Medical Oscar 2 and Bravo Mini are validated by the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), ensuring high accuracy in all environments1,2.
- SunTech Medical ABPM models are also tested to meet the accuracy and performance requirements of the AAMI-SP10 and ISO 81060-2 standards.
2. Size and Portability
A patient undergoing ABP monitoring will carry the device for 24 hours, so a small and lightweight option is ideal.
- If portability and discretion are key priorities, the Bravo Mini is an excellent choice. Its smaller size and weight make it easy for patients to wear comfortably without feeling burdened.
- On the other hand, the Oscar 2, while slightly larger, remains relatively compact and offers more advanced features, providing additional functionality for clinicians who prefer them.
SunTech Oscar 2, in pouch
SunTech Bravo Mini
3. Ease of Use
Both the Oscar 2 and Bravo Mini are user-friendly, though their accompanying software applications differ slightly. The Oscar 2 comes with SunTech’s AccuWin Pro 4 software, which simplifies the data analysis for clinicians. The Bravo Mini comes with SunTech AccuWin SE software, which is a slightly simplified version, with almost similar capabilities.
Sample ABPM summary report
4. Patient Comfort
Since ABPM devices are worn for 24 hours, patient comfort is paramount. Both the Oscar 2 & Bravo Mini pair with the ultra-soft and comfortable Orbit ABPM BP cuffs, available in 4 different sizes:
Orbit ABPM Cuffs
SunTech Medical also provides a range of comfortable Soft Disposable cuffs, perfect for single-patient use and eliminates the need for cuff reprocessing.
Soft Disposable Cuffs
5. Price and Budget
Budget often plays a significant role in medical equipment purchases.
- Oscar 2 is more feature-rich, which can come with a higher price point.
- Bravo Mini, on the other hand, is an affordable alternative.
Both devices provide excellent value, but your choice will depend on whether you need advanced features or a simpler, cost-effective option.
SunTech Medical Oscar 2: A Deep Dive
The SunTech Medical Oscar 2 is known for its advanced diagnostic options, including:
- Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index (AASI): Allows clinicians to get a more comprehensive view of a patient’s vascular health.
- Central BP with SphygmoCor add-on option: With over 800 published studies, including validation in exercise, AtCor’s SphygmoCor technology is simply the gold standard in central blood pressure monitoring.
- Day/Night Button: allows the patient to toggle between Day (Awake) and Night (Asleep) modes.
- Event Marker: allows the patient to manually indicate when a significant event has occurred during the monitoring period for better data interpretation.
SunTech Medical Bravo Mini: A Compact Alternative
The Bravo Mini is ideal for clinics that need a simple, easy-to-use ABPM device. Key features include:
- Lightweight and compact design: At 233g, the Bravo Mini is comparable in size to a small power bank, making it perfect for patients seeking minimal disruption to their daily routines.
- SunTech’s motion tolerance technology: Helps save time and money by reducing failed readings and minimising the need for repeat studies.
- Cost-effective solution: Best for straightforward ABPM reports, with the same validated accuracy.
Comparison Table
Final Thoughts
Both the SunTech Medical Oscar 2 and Bravo Mini are excellent choices for ABPM monitoring, but your specific needs will determine which is right for you.
If you require advanced diagnostics, extensive data analysis, and customisation, the Oscar 2 is the best choice. However, if you’re looking for a compact, cost-effective, and easy-to-use device, the Bravo Mini could be your ideal option.
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References
- Goodwin J, Bilous M, Winship S, Finn P, Jones SC. Validation of the Oscar 2 oscillometric 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the British Hypertension Society protocol. Blood Press Monit. 2007 Apr;12(2):113-7. doi: 10.1097/MBP.0b013e3280acab1b. PMID: 17353655.
- Jones SC, Bilous M, Winship S, Finn P, Goodwin J. Validation of the OSCAR 2 oscillometric 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the International Protocol for the validation of blood pressure measuring devices. Blood Press Monit. 2004 Aug;9(4):219-23. doi: 10.1097/00126097-200408000-00007. PMID: 15311149.
Image credits: SunTech Medical, EO Medical
