Blood Pressure by Flush Method

A visual method of determination of blood pressures in newborn infants is presented. The cuff is placed around the ankle or wrist in the usual manner and a piece of rubber sheeting or old rubber glove is wrapped snugly around the foot or hand, so that the blood is pressed from the extremity. The cuff is then inflated to a pressure slightly above the suspected systolic pressure, the rubber bandage is then removed and the pressure is slowly released from the cuff. The approximate systolic pressure is the reading at which blood suddenly re-enters the foot or hand, causing a flush.