Arterial Stiffness

Comparison of aortic pulse wave velocity measured by three techniques: Complior, SphygmoCor and Arteriograph Marek W. Rajzer, Wiktoria Wojciechowska, Marek Klocek, Ilona Palka, Małgorzata Brzozowska-Kiszka and Kalina Kawecka-Jaszcz Background New 2007 European Society of Hypertension guidelines recommend measuring arterial stiffness in patients with arterial hypertension, suggesting a carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity over 12 m/s as an estimate of subclinical organ damage. Considering this cutoff point, it is worth exploring whether or not there are significant differences in results obtained using various techniques for measuring aortic pulse wave velocity. The aim of the study was to compare aortic pulse wave velocity measurements using Complior, SphygmoCor, and Arteriograph devices, and to assess the effect of pulse wave transit time and traveled distance on pulse wave velocity values. Methods Aortic pulse wave velocity was measured on a single visit, using these devices, in randomized order, in a group of 64 patients with grade 1 or 2 arterial hypertension. Results Aortic pulse wave velocity measured using Complior (10.1W1.7 m/s) was significantly higher than that obtained using SphygmoCor (8.1W1.1 m/s) or Arteriograph (8.6W1.3 m/s). No differences were noted between pulse wave velocity measurements using SphygmoCor and Arteriograph. Between-method comparison revealed that differences in traveled distance were significant: Complior versus Arteriograph [0.09 m, Confidence interval (CI): 0.08–0.12 m, P<0.05], Complior versus SphygmoCor (0.15 m, CI: 0.13–0.16 m, P<0.05), Arteriograph versus