scholarly journals Methodological Considerations for a Vascular Function Test Battery

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (09) ◽  
pp. 601-608
Author(s):  
Rachel Kimble ◽  
Karen M. Keane ◽  
John K. Lodge ◽  
Glyn Howatson
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Function ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Augmentation Index ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Test Battery ◽  
Doppler Imaging ◽  
Stiffness Index ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reflection Index ◽  
Repeatability And Reproducibility

AbstractThere is a dearth of information regarding the reliability of non-invasive measures of vascular function taken in a single testing session. This study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of a test battery of vascular function measures: automated blood pressure (BP), laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis (LDI), digital volume pulse (DVP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) measured by pulse wave analysis (PWA) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) taken within and between sessions. Measures were taken in 21 non-smoking males intra-session and again inter-session (one week apart) to determine repeatability and reproducibility, respectively. There was moderate to excellent repeatability (ICC: 0.53–0.93; CV=2.2–18.1%) and reproducibility (ICC: 0.71–0.96; CV 1.9–14.2%) for BP, DVP stiffness index, PWV, AIx, AIx normalised to heart rate (75 bpm), absolute and percentage FMD. Repeatability of the DVP reflection index was moderate (ICC: 0.64; CV=9.5%) but there was poor reproducibility (ICC: 0.17; CV=15.1%). Moreover, the repeatability and reproducibility of the LDI measures ranged from poor to good (ICC: 0.31–0.84; CV=28.4–36.7%). These data indicated that there was considerable variability in the repeatability and reproducibility of measurements of endothelial function and arterial stiffness taken in a battery of measurements, which needs careful consideration in future research designs.

scholarly journals Serum Superoxide Dismutase Is Associated with Vascular Structure and Function in Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos ◽  
Ana M. Blázquez-Medela ◽  
Luis Gamella-Pozuelo ◽  
José I. Recio-Rodriguez ◽  
Luis García-Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Augmentation Index ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Stiffness Index ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Vascular Structure ◽  
Arterial Stiffness Index ◽  
And Function

Oxidative stress is associated with cardiac and vascular defects leading to hypertension and atherosclerosis, being superoxide dismutase (SOD) one of the main intracellular antioxidant defence mechanisms. Although several parameters of vascular function and structure have a predictive value for cardiovascular morbidity-mortality in hypertensive patients, there are no studies on the involvement of SOD serum levels with these vascular parameters. Thus, we assessed if SOD serum levels are correlated with parameters of vascular function and structure and with cardiovascular risk in hypertensive and type 2 diabetic patients. We enrolled 255 consecutive hypertensive and diabetic patients and 52 nondiabetic and nonhypertensive controls. SOD levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Vascular function and structure were evaluated by pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, ambulatory arterial stiffness index, and carotid intima-media thickness. We detected negative correlations between SOD and pressure wave velocity, peripheral and central augmentation index and ambulatory arterial stiffness index, pulse pressure, and plasma HDL-cholesterol, as well as positive correlations between SOD and plasma uric acid and triglycerides. Our study shows that SOD is a marker of cardiovascular alterations in hypertensive and diabetic patients, since changes in its serum levels are correlated with alterations in vascular structure and function.

scholarly journals The Prediction of Atherosclerosis Index Based on Photoplethysmograph

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yibing Li ◽  
Fei Xie ◽  
Xiaoye Ren ◽  
Fenyun Cao
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Stiffness Index ◽  
Reflection Index ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Right ◽  
Bp Neural Network Model ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Coefficient Method

Current atherosclerosis (AS) assessment devices have a disadvantage for users to carry around. In response to this shortcoming, we propose to collect the wrist photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal and create models to predict the indicators of atherosclerosis (cardiovascular age and right brachial and ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV)). This study uses the maximum correlation coefficient method for feature selection and establishes multiple models to predict cardiovascular age and the right baPWV. The study results show that the prediction of cardiovascular age using the backpropagation (BP) neural network model is the best. Its Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) is 0.9501 ( P < 0.05 ), and the model finds the best six physiological features as crest time (CT), crest time ratio (CTR), slop K, stiffness index (SI), reflection index (RI), and heart rate (HR). When predicting the right baPWV value on the right side, we propose a hybrid method MLR_BP, which has better experimental results than BP and MLR. The MLR_BP model improves the prediction accuracy, the predicted PCC value is 0.9204 ( P < 0.05 ), and the model only needs two features, HR and cardiovascular age. This study further verified the results of related literature and proved the relationship between AS and related physiological parameters. The proposed method is applied to wearable devices and has an application value for diagnosing AS and preventing cardiovascular diseases.

scholarly journals Assessing hemodynamics from the photoplethysmogram to gain insights into vascular age: A review from VascAgeNet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. Charlton ◽  
Birutė Paliakaitė‬‬‬ ◽  
Kristjan Pilt ◽  
Martin Bachler ◽  
Serena Zanelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Pulse Transit Time ◽  
Time Measurement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Vascular Ageing ◽  
Vascular Age ◽  
Repeatability And Reproducibility ◽  
Consumer Devices ◽  
Pulse Arrival

The photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal is widely measured by clinical and consumer devices, and it is emerging as a potential tool for assessing vascular age. The shape and timing of the PPG pulse wave are both influenced by normal vascular ageing, changes in arterial stiffness and blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. This review summarises research into assessing vascular age from the PPG. Three categories of approaches are described: (i) those which use a single PPG signal (based on pulse wave analysis); (ii) those which use multiple PPG signals (such as pulse transit time measurement); and (iii) those which use PPG and other signals (such as pulse arrival time measurement). Evidence is then presented on the performance, repeatability and reproducibility, and clinical utility of PPG-derived parameters of vascular age. Finally, the review outlines key directions for future research to realise the full potential of photoplethysmography for assessing vascular age.

scholarly journals Dietary saturated and unsaturated fats as determinants of blood pressure and vascular function

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy L. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Dietary Fat ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Arterial Compliance ◽  
Future Research

The amount and type of dietary fat have long been associated with the risk of CVD. Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are important risk factors in the aetiology of CHD. A range of methods exists to assess vascular function that may be used in nutritional science, including clinic and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, pulse wave analysis, pulse wave velocity, flow-mediated dilatation and venous occlusion plethysmography. The present review focuses on the quantity and type of dietary fat and effects on blood pressure, arterial compliance and endothelial function. Concerning fat quantity, the amount of dietary fat consumed habitually appears to have little influence on vascular function independent of fatty acid composition, although single high-fat meals postprandially impair endothelial function compared with low-fat meals. The mechanism is related to increased circulating lipoproteins and NEFA which may induce pro-inflammatory pathways and increase oxidative stress. Regarding the type of fat, cross-sectional data suggest that saturated fat adversely affects vascular function whereas polyunsaturated fat (mainly linoleic acid (18 : 2n-6) and n-3 PUFA) are beneficial. EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3) can reduce blood pressure, improve arterial compliance in type 2 diabetics and dyslipidaemics, and augment endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The mechanisms for this vascular protection, and the nature of the separate physiological effects induced by EPA and DHA, are priorities for future research. Since good-quality observational or interventional data on dietary fatty acid composition and vascular function are scarce, no further recommendations can be suggested in addition to current guidelines at the present time.

scholarly journals Vascular function and stiffness: population epidemiology and concordance in Australian children aged 11–12 years and their parents

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freya K Kahn ◽  
Melissa Wake ◽  
Kate Lycett ◽  
Susan Clifford ◽  
David P Burgner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pulse Wave Velocity ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Augmentation Index ◽  
Central Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Parent Child

ObjectivesTo describe the epidemiology and parent–child concordance of vascular function in a population-based sample of Australian parent–child dyads at child age 11–12 years.DesignCross-sectional study (Child Health CheckPoint), nested within a prospective cohort study, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC).SettingAssessment centres in seven major Australian cities and eight regional towns or home visits, February 2015–March 2016.ParticipantsOf all participating CheckPoint families (n=1874), 1840 children (49% girls) and 1802 parents (88% mothers) provided vascular function data. Survey weights and methods were applied to account for LSAC’s complex sample design and clustering within postcodes and strata.Outcome measuresThe SphygmoCor XCEL assessed vascular function, generating estimates of brachial and central systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, central pulse pressure, augmentation index and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models estimated parent–child concordance.ResultsHypertension was present in 3.9% of children and 9.0% of parents. Mean child and parent values for augmentation index were 4.5% (SD 11.6) and 21.3% (SD 12.3), respectively, and those for carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity were 4.48 m/s (SD 0.59) and 6.85 m/s (SD 1.14), respectively. Parent–child correlation for brachial systolic blood pressure was 0.20 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.24), brachial diastolic blood pressure 0.21 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.26), central systolic blood pressure 0.21 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.25), central diastolic blood pressure 0.21 (95% CI0.17 to 0.26), central pulse pressure 0.19 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.24), augmentation index 0.28 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.32) and pulse wave velocity 0.22 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.27).ConclusionsWe report Australian values for traditional and more novel vascular function markers, providing a reference for future population studies. Cross-generational concordance in multiple vascular function markers is already established by age 11–12 years, with mechanisms of heritability remaining to be explored.

scholarly journals Method for determining significant components for assessing pulse wave shape variability

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-47
Author(s):  
Maria O. Tsoy ◽  
◽  
Dmitry E. Postnov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Efficiency Index ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Fourier Series Expansion ◽  
Stiffness Index ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Pulse Waveform ◽  
Reflection Index ◽  
The Stability

Background and Objectives: The conventional approach to the quantification of the pulse wave is based on the assessment of the features of its shape within each beat to beat heart interval. Usually, a set of indices is calculated (such as heart efficiency index, reflection index, stiffness index), which are determined by the reference points of the wave contour. We have developed an alternative method aimed to analyze the variability of the pulse waveform regardless of the variability of its rhythm. A distinctive feature of the method is that the classical spectral analysis tool – the Fourier series expansion in harmonic functions – is used not for frequency analysis, but for describing the features of the pulse waveform, regardless of its frequency-time characteristics. Materials and Methods: The data is represented by the signal as separate sets of fragments, each of which corresponds to one cardiointerval. Further, information about the current heart rate, including its variability, is removed from the data. We do this by resampling each cardiointerval by the same predetermined number of samples. The shape variability of each waveform is quantified by calculating the amplitudes and phases of the harmonics of each waveform as a representative of a strictly periodic sequence. This is an important point, since the original pulse wave signal belongs to the class of random signals and for it, as for the whole, the amplitude and phase of the Fourier spectra are not determined. As a result of the procedure, the analysis of the pulse waveform for each cardiointerval is reduced to the analysis of the amplitude and phases of the required number of harmonics. The method described above was used to process the data of an experiment aimed at quantitatively calculating the relationship between the central and distal pulses. The measurements were carried out on a group of 16 healthy volunteers aged 20–35 years after being in a calm state for 20 minutes. Then, rheographic signals were synchronously recorded from three points on the human skin surface (aortic region, wrist and distal phalanx of the finger). Results: The study revealed significant differences in the stability of the shape of the pulse waves recorded in different parts of the vascular bed, which is expressed in different degrees of variability of their main components. It is important that the central pulse has a smaller number of significant harmonics in comparison with the distal one, and is more stable at the first 4 harmonics containing the main signal power. Conclusion: We proposed and tested a method for analyzing the variability of the pulse waveform, based on the harmonic analysis of the re-sampled signal for each of the cardiointervals, aimed at studying the variability of the pulse waveform separately from the variability of its rhythm. The obtained quantitative data on the stability of the harmonics of the central pulse wave indicate the prospects for further development of the transfer function method in the problem of restoring the shape of the central pulse based on distal measurements.

scholarly journals Rosuvastatin in patients with arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia: effects on microcirculation and pulse wave parameters

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
O. M. Drapkina ◽  
O. N. Korneeva ◽  
L. O. Palatkina ◽  
E. V. Zyatenkova ◽  
N. P. Balakhonova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Augmentation Index ◽  
Erythrocyte Aggregation ◽  
Stiffness Index ◽  
Atorvastatin Group ◽  
Group I ◽  
Rosuvastatin Group

Aim. To investigate the parameters of pulse wave contour analysis (PWCA) and microcirculation (MC) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH), dyslipidemia (DLP), and high cardiovascular risk levels (SCORE >5%); to compare the dynamics of these parameters during the treatment with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin. Material and methods. The study included 82 patients (mean age 53±10 years) with the high-risk AH (SCORE levels >5%), DLP, and no strict contraindications to statins. All patients were randomised into two comparable groups: Group I (n=40; mean age 51±10 years), receiving atorvastatin and standard AH treatment; and Group II (n=42; mean age 52±10 years), receiving rosuvastatin and standard AH treatment. At baseline and after 5 weeks, all patients underwent the MC assessment (conjunctival biomicroscopy) and PWCA (AngioScan-01). The following parameters were assessed: stiffness index (SI), reflection index (RI), augmentation index (AIx), and increased pulse wave amplitude (PWA). Results. In the atorvastatin group, mean SI values were 5,87±2,05 m/s, RI values 35,64±19,98%, mean AIx values for heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx75) 41,21±14,56%, and mean central blood pressure (BP, Spa) levels 144,35±22,31 mm Hg. In the rosuvastatin group, the respective values were 5,01±2,56 m/s (SI), 37,01±14,56% (RI), 41,23±14,35% (AIx75), and 148,98±7,89 mm Hg (BP, Spa). All participants demonstrated PW Types A and B, as a marker of increased arterial stiffness, and positive AIx and AIx75 values. The treatment with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin was associated with a significant reduction in ∆SI (-0,87 and -0,89 m/s, respectively). Both groups demonstrated a non-significant reduction in ∆RI (-7,89 and -7,21%, respectively) and ∆AIx (-1,88 and -1,92%, respectively). PWA increased by 1,82±0,62 times in the atorvastatin group and by 1,95±0,81 times in the rosuvastatin group. At baseline, both groups demonstrated disturbed conjunctival MC (arterio-venular coefficient 1:3, stasis, and Stage III erythrocyte aggregation). Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin treatment was linked to a regression in the last two parameters, which could be explained by the improved vascular wall elasticity. Conclusion. In high-risk patients with AH, the PWCA data suggested an increase in arterial stiffness, which was combined with conjunctival MC disturbances. Statin therapy improved not only blood lipid levels, but also MC, vascular stiffness, and endothelial function parameters, which was more pronounced in the rosuvastatin group.

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