* A maintenance programme should be defined for each clinical area where blood pressure measurements are made. * The main causes of misleading readings should be highlighted in training. * All those who measure blood pressure should be assessed on the practical aspects ofthe procedure. These recommendations ofthe British Hypertension Society were prepared by a working party ofthe society: Professor J

No abstract

Acute renal failure precipitated by radiographic contrast medium in a patient with rhabdomyolysis Myoglobinuria is an uncommon but important cause of acute tubular necrosis.' It was originally described in association with trauma but also occurs in cases of non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis, when diagnosis may be more difficult.2 'Infusion intravenous urography is a standard investigation for acute renal impairment of obscure cause1; we report a case of acute renal failure precipitated by administration of radiographic contrast medium in a patient with undiagnosed rhabdomyolysis and renal impairment. Case report A 57-year-old man presented with malaise and fever. His history was not helpful, but he mentioned that his urine was the colour of "oxtail soup." Biochemical data were: sodium 134 mmol(mEq)/l, potassium 4-3 mmol

Apart from the stethoscope, the sphygmomanometer is probably used S tmore than any other single instrument in both hospital and general practice. Doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff record blood pressure; and decisions on treatment, investigation, prognosis, fitness for insurance and employment, and epidemiological conclusions are based on these measurements. More recently patients themselves are being trained to record their own blood pressure, and there are now machines which record

No abstract