Direct intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements were compared with simultaneous standard cuff sphygmomanometry and automated inflatable cuff manometry in 12 postpartum patients. An adjustable arterial damping device was used to correct overestimations of systolic values due to distorted pressure waveforms. No significant differences in diastolic pressure with and without arterial damping were noted between noninvasive techniques and direct intra-arterial values. The systolic readings obtained with the standard cuff were significantly lower than the intra-arterial values with or without the arterial damping device (P less than .001 in both cases). However, mean systolic BP by automated cuff did not differ significantly from intra-arterial readings in the presence of the damping device (P = .10, not significant). We recommend indirect BP monitoring by automated cuff manometry in nonobese critically ill patients requiring frequent BP readings, and arterial catheter in situations requiring frequent arterial blood samples or oxygenation assessment.