Noninvasive assessment of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity: the influence of body side and body contours.

Background: Recently, an expert group advised to measure carotid-femoral (cf) pulse wave velocity (PWV) on the right side of the body, and to use a sliding caliper when tape measure distance cannot be obtained in a straight line. The present study investigates the evidence for this advice by comparing the real travelled cf path lengths (RTPLs) at both body sides and comparing the straight distance (as can be obtained with a sliding caliper) with the tape measure distance.

Methods: RTPLs were measured with MRI in 98 individuals (49 men, age 21-76 years).

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index does not accurately assess arterial stiffness.

Introduction: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI), derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recordings, has been proposed as a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness. However, there is controversy to what extent it reflects stiffness or is affected by other parameters. Using a previously validated one-dimensional computer model of the arterial circulation, the relative importance of the different determinants of the AASI was explored.

The change in arterial stiffness over the cardiac cycle rather than diastolic stiffness is independently associated with left ventricular mass index in healthy middle-aged individuals.

Background: The current standard for arterial stiffness assessment, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), is measured at diastolic pressure. Arterial stiffness, however, is pressure dependent. At the carotid artery level, the degree of this dependency can be quantified as the difference (ΔPWV) between systolic and diastolic (cPWVd) carotid pulse wave velocity.

Carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity: a comparison of real travelled aortic path lengths determined by MRI and superficial measurements.

Objectives: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the gold standard method for determination of arterial stiffness. PWV is assessed by dividing travelled distance by travel time. Standardization and validation of the methodology for travelled distance measurement is of crucial importance.

Comparison of central pressure estimates obtained from SphygmoCor, Omron HEM-9000AI and carotid applanation tonometry.

Background: The Omron HEM-9000AI is the first automated tonometer to provide an estimate of central SBP (cSBP), which is considered to be more predictive of cardiovascular events than brachial pressure. However, considerable differences between the cSBP estimate of Omron and that of SphygmoCor have been reported, but not explained. This study assesses the sources of differences between both cSBP estimates and provides a handle on which estimate is closest to reality.

Distance measurements for the assessment of carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity.

Background: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity can be determined using different distances - either direct carotid-femoral distance or subtracted [(sternal-femoral) - (carotid-sternal)] distance - resulting in pulse wave velocity differences of up to 30%. The present study aims to present and validate a population-based model for the conversion between distances.

Method: Three thousand one hundred and sixteen participants from the Asklepios study (n = 2510) and Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou (n = 606) databases, in which all distance measurements were available, were randomly distributed in a model (n = 311) and validation (n = 2805) population.

Age and gender related patterns in carotid-femoral PWV and carotid and femoral stiffness in a large healthy, middle-aged population.

Background: The relationship between aortic (carotid-femoral) pulse wave velocity and stiffness measures based on local diameter and pressure readings is not yet fully understood.

Methods: We compared the relationship with age and gender of aortic pulse wave velocity to stiffness indices (compliance and distensibility coefficient) evaluated at the common carotid and femoral arteries in 2195 (1131 women) apparently healthy subjects, aged 35-55 years participating in the Asklepios study. Aortic pulse wave velocity was further compared with previously reported central arterial stiffness parameters on the same population.

Noninvasive (input) impedance, pulse wave velocity, and wave reflection in healthy middle-aged men and women.

The relation between arterial function indices, such as pulse wave velocity and augmentation index with parameters derived from input impedance analysis, is still incompletely understood. Carotid pressure, central flow waveforms, and pulse wave velocity were noninvasively acquired in 2026 apparently healthy, middle-aged subjects (1052 women and 974 men) 35 to 55 years old at inclusion. Input and characteristic impedance, reflection coefficient, the ratio of backward-to-forward pressure amplitude (reflection magnitude), and augmentation index were derived.