Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement by Cross-Correlation of Doppler Velocity Signals. Application to Elderly Volunteers During Training

Abstract

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement is widely used for the indirect assessment of arterial wall distensibility. In order to improve its measurement technique, we built a system performing the calculation of the cross-correlation function of Doppler velocity signals. In 12 normal subjects and 10 patients, the mean difference between duplicate measurements was 0.7 +/- 7.8% (NS). We tested this technique in 15 elderly volunteers before and after a three months training period. Brachial and tibial systolic blood pressure decreased respectively from 18.1 +/- 2.2 kPa to 16.7 +/- 1.9 kPa (p = 0.008) and from 21.1 +/- 3.4 kPa to 18.4 +/- 2.5 kPa (p = 0.003), while lower limb PWV decreased from 8.96 +/- 1.26 to 7.92 +/- 1.22 m.s-1 (p = 0.016). Therefore, automatic PWV measurement using the cross-correlation technique allows to demonstrate training induced changes in PWV, although concomitant changes in blood pressure must be considered in their interpretation.

Effect of maturational status and training on upper limb pulse wave velocity

“…But PWV has both structural and functional components, the former including both the collagen/elastin ratio and the thickness of the artery wall while the latter is largely dependant on factors such as MAP. Therefore, as mentioned in several reports [7,8,16], the effect of MAP on the elastic modulus of the arterial wall should be evaluated before any attempt is made to interpret differences in PWV. In the present study, different MAPs cannot be wholly responsible for the observed difference in PWVUL between trained and untrained children, since PWVUL was still lower in untrained boys, when MAP was fixed as a covariate.…”

“…Briefly, PWV of the left upper limb was evaluated by a dedicated continuous wave Doppler and photoplethysmography system (AtysWave, Atys Medical, Soucieuen-Jarrest, France) as described previously [8]. The photoplethysmography probe was placed on the tip of the middle finger, and the continuous wave Doppler probe recorded the signal from the subclavian artery at the clavicle level.…”

Noninvasive assessment of the viscoelasticity of peripheral arteries

“…On the other hand, the palpating pressure waveform in peripheral arteries of superficial sites can be measured with high-fidelity tonometry pressure transducers (Kelly et al 1989a). Because the pressure pulse and flow propagate at the same velocity, the regional arterial PWV can be measured noninvasively by using the transit time of Doppler velocity signals or pressure waveforms detected at two sites with given separation (Dauzat et al 1996;Kingwell et al 1997;Lehmann et al 1993b).…”

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Effects of Type 2 Diabetes and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Structure and Function of Nonstenotic Arteries of the Lower Limb

“…Intimal-medial thickness (IMT) and pulse wave conduction velocity (PWCV) are structural and functional parameters, respectively, that can be reproducibly and noninvasively determined in large arteries (2,3). Abnormalities in these parameters may precede the formation of atherosclerotic plaque or may be markers for generalized atherosclerosis.…”