Standards for the Implementation, Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting of 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Recommendations of the Italian Society of Hypertension
Stefano Omboni, Grzegorz Bilo, Francesca Saladini, Antonino Di Guardo, Paolo Palatini, Gianfranco Parati, Giacomo Pucci, Agostino Virdis, María Lorenza Muiesan
Abstract
Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is recognized as a reference tool for accurately diagnosing hypertension. Until a few years ago, this technique was restricted to use by specialists. Recently, however, due to the need for wider availability and thanks to technological innovation, simplification of analysis processes, and increasing recognition of the importance of this tool for the diagnosis of hypertension, ABPM is now also being used in non-specialist settings. In such settings, ABPM is used with a two-pronged approach: (i) independently by a general practitioner with the possibility of specialist supervision for particular and complex cases; (ii) in the non-medical setting (community pharmacies, home care services, etc.) where the healthcare provider is trained in the proper use of the technique, with the understanding a physician must be responsible for the final clinical reporting. Unfortunately, due to the increasingly wide diffusion of ABPM, there has been considerable confusion about management roles and responsibilities in recent years. To clarify competencies and roles and standardize the processes related to the technique's implementation and proper management, experts of the Blood Pressure Monitoring Working Group of the Italian Society of Hypertension have drafted this document with the aim of providing a quick and easy reference guide for training healthcare professionals in the field.