[The influence of anthropometric factors, hemorheologic parameters and the level of arterial pressure on pulse wave velocity].

Unlabelled: The measurement of the pulse wave velocity (PWV) is widely used in clinical practice to assess the elasticity of the arterial system. It can be influenced by a number of factors. The present study was undertaken to assess the possible role of anthropometric factors, hemorheological parameters and blood pressure on this element.

Study Design: Sixty-three male subjects, mean age: 21 +/- 1.6 years,; height: 177 +/- 7 cm; weight: 76 +/- 13 kg, were subjected to Doppler measurement of the carotid-femoral PWV with synchronous recording of blood pressure. In parallel, the following were carried out: nycthemeral blood pressure recording, measurement of plasma vicosity and erythrocyte deformability, determination of hematocrit, fibrinogen and total proteins. The Quetelet indices and body surface area (BSA) were calculated for each patient. These data were analyzed by multiple linear regression.

Results: Three parameters affect PWV: 24-hours diastolic blood pressure, hematocrit, and body surface area (the coefficient of multiple correlation: r = 0.597, the percent variability of the explained variable is equal to 35.7%, the regression equation can be written: PWV CF (cm/sec) + 0.283*Diast/24 hours + 0.742* hematocrit + 9.486* BSA = 0.629). The following parameters are not involved: plasma viscosity, erythrometry, total proteins, fibrinogen, Quetelet index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the investigation, mean systolic pressure and mean heart rate over 24 hours.

Comments: The PWV-diastolic pressure relationship is well-known. In contrast, the effect of the hematocrit and body surface area has never been reported.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)