A technique for comparing pressure oscillations obtained during a blood
pressure determination wherein two or more sets of matching criteria may
be employed. The set of matching criteria to be employed is determined
based on the heart rate variability or the presence of heart beat
irregularities or arrhythmias as determined by an independent heart
monitor, such as an ECG. The selected set of matching criteria may then
be employed in determining the acceptability of the time interval between
two oscillations and the equivalence of the two oscillations based upon
one or more oscillation characteristics, such as peak amplitude. In this
manner, non-consecutive oscillations may be matched and used in
determining blood pressure.