Quick and accurate blood pressure monitoring is essential to a patient under anesthesia and certain medical conditions. Blood pressure is the driving force for blood flow (perfusion) through capillaries that supply oxygen to organs and tissue beds of the body. Low blood pressure results in decreased oxygen delivery, resulting in the death of important cells and organ damage, most sensitively the kidney and brain. Because lowered blood pressure is a common side effect of many anesthetic drugs, monitoring these values under anesthesia is crucial. Very high blood pressures are known to cause blindness due to retinal detachment. Proper medical intervention can lead to a better quality of life and survival.
