The Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension.

In the first paper the demise of the mercury sphygmomanometer is examined. After a little more than a century of use, the conventional Riva-Rocci/Korotkoff technique of measuring blood pressure with a mercury sphygmomanometer, and stethoscope is now being relegated to the museum shelves. Our reliance on what has been an inaccurate technique is questioned and we are urged to accept that the age of technology offers more accurate alternative methodologies. However, we must ensure that the automated devices that are replacing the conventional technique are validated independently for accuracy. The Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension has recently published an International Protocol to facilitate the validation of more automated devices than was possible with the earlier more complicated protocols.