One hundred years of blood pressure measurement: A tribute to Scipione Riva-Rocci

Pre-Riva-Rocci devices The earliest known blood pressure measurements were taken by Santono, a physician working in Venice at the beginning of the seventeenth century. He used a so-called 'pulsilogium', a device for making the pulse visible. Introduction of Riva-Rocci techniques Scipione Riva-Rocci not only developed a practical and reliable apprach to non-invasive blood pressure measurement, but he made important pioneering observations which still apply today. After 100 years the Riva Rocci sphygmomanometer is still a valuable piece of equipment for a physician in daily practice.