GE Healthcare highlights new blood pressure

cuff for people with large arms at Arab Health 2014

• Upper-arm cuffs may underestimate blood pressure in people with large arms
• New GE Critikon Radial-Cuf aimed at supporting more accurate blood pressure readings in people with large upper arms

Dubai, UAE; January 27, 2014: GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) is highlighting its path-breaking blood pressure cuff for the forearm, which is envisaged to address inaccurate blood pressure readings for people with large or highly muscular arms, at Arab Health 2014, the Middle East and Africa's premier healthcare exhibition and conference held in Dubai.

The cone-shape cuff, called GE Critikon Radial-Cuf, is designed to fit comfortably on the forearm, and is for people with an upper arm circumference greater than 40 centimeters (15.7 inches).

A recent study shows this approach significantly underestimates systolic blood pressure, a key blood pressure reading, by as much as 10 millimeters of Mercury (mmHg). The higher a patient's mmHg reading is, the more likely they are to suffer from heart disease. The new cuff's measures are similar to invasive blood-pressure readings taken from an intravenous line, which is the most accurate form of measurement.

“At GE Healthcare, we are committed to addressing the significant health challenges associated with obesity, which can lead to risk factors including heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes1,” said Maher Abouzeid, President and CEO of GE Healthcare for the Middle East and Pakistan.

“Accurate blood pressure measurement is important for providing proper health care to obese people. Existing blood pressure cuffs do not fit well on certain people, particularly the obese with large arms, but without other options clinicians may place upper-arm cuffs on a patient's forearm. Failing to identify high blood pressure can translate to poor clinical outcomes and increased cost of care. Therefore proper cuff sizes are important for accurately measuring blood pressure. With the Middle East region ranked as having among the highest rate of obese population2, the new Critikon Radial-Cuf is highlights our commitment to supporting patient safety and care, while providing the region's clinicians with the latest innovations.”

GE Critikon Radial-Cuf is FDA cleared and can be used on any automated non-invasive blood pressure system in the hospital or a doctor's office.

The Platinum Sponsor of Arab Health 2014, GE Healthcare is extending its support to leading conferences held on the sidelines of the event, including the Big Data Conference, Leaders in Healthcare, Middle East Anesthesia and Radiology Conferences. Visit GE Healthcare's pavilion at Sheikh Saeed Hall, Booth No: S3B10.