Calculation of the pulse wave velocity from the waveform of the central aortic pressure pulse in young adults

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Therefore, the correct determination of the parameters indicating the disease condition is critical in effective treatment of patients. One of the parameters evaluating arterial stiffness is determining the pulse wave velocity (PWV), but the method of determining faces a number of problems. In the study was measured 20 healthy patients. Using applanation tonometry was measured pulse wave from a. radialis and a. carotis. PWV was measured by SphygmoCor and calculated by method of flow triangle using aortic pressure pulse for determination PWV. Average value of PWV calculated by method of flow triangle was 8.35 ± 0.86 m/ s and average value measured by SphygmoCor 7.2 ± 0.8 m/ s. The variance differences of measured and calculated values PWV was 0.785 ± 0.575 m /s. The average value of the a.radialis-a.carotis distance was 485 ± 43.4 mm. According to the results it can be assumed that the new method of analysis the forward and backward waves is relatively accurate, but it is very sensitive to standardize measurement. The results are affected by several factors, is necessary to propose further steps to accurate protocol for the more precise results.