Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used to evaluate regional stiffness of large and medium-sized arteries. Here, we examine the feasibility and reliability of radial-digital PWV (RD-PWV) as a measure of regional stiffness of small conduit arteries, and its response to changes in hydrostatic pressure. Methods and results: In 29 healthy subjects, we used Complior Analyse piezoelectric probes to record arterial pulse wave at radial artery and tip of the index. We determined transit time by second-derivative and intersecting-tangents using the device-embedded algorithms, in house Matlab-based analyses of only reliable waves, and by numerical simulation using a one dimensional (1-D) arterial tree model coupled with heart model. Second-derivative RD-PWV were 4.68±1.18, 4.69±1.21, 4.32±1.19 m/s for device-embedded, Matlab-based and numerical simulation analyses, respectively. Intersecting-tangents RD-PWV were 4.73±1.20, 4.45±1.08, 4.50±0.84 m/s for device-embedded, Matlab-based and numerical simulation analyses, respectively. Intersession coefficients of variation were 7.0±4.9% and 3.2±1.9% (P=0.04) for device-embedded and Matlab-based second derivative algorithms. In 15 subjects, we examine the response of RD-PWV to changes in local hydrostatic pressure by vertical displacement of the hand. For an increase of 10 mm Hg in local hydrostatic pressure RD-PWV increased by 0.28 m/s (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.40; P<0.001). Conclusions: This study shows that RD-PWV can be used for the non-invasive assessment of regional stiffness of small conduit arteries. This finding allows for an integrated approach for assessing arterial stiffness gradient from aorta, to medium-sized arteries, and now to small conduit arteries.

中文翻译：

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径向数字脉搏波速度：一种用于评估小导管动脉僵硬度的非侵入性方法。

背景：脉搏波速度（PWV）用于评估大中型动脉的区域硬度。在这里，我们研究了径向数字PWV（RD-PWV）的可行性和可靠性，以作为测量小导管区域刚度的方法及其对静水压力变化的响应。方法和结果：在29位健康受试者中，我们使用Complior Analyze压电探头记录radial动脉和指数尖端处的动脉脉搏波。我们使用设备嵌入的算法，通过二阶导数和相切线，在基于Matlab的室内仅对可靠波的分析中，以及通过使用一维（1-D）动脉树模型与心脏模型相结合的数值模拟，确定了传输时间。嵌入式设备的二阶导数RD-PWV为4.68±1.18、4.69±1.21、4.32±1.19 m / s，基于Matlab和数值模拟分析。对于设备嵌入式，基于Matlab和数值模拟的分析，相切线RD-PWV分别为4.73±1.20、4.45±1.08、4.50±0.84 m / s。对于设备嵌入式和基于Matlab的二阶导数算法，闭会期间的变异系数分别为7.0±4.9％和3.2±1.9％（P = 0.04）。在15位受试者中，我们检查了RD-PWV对手的垂直位移引起的局部静水压力变化的响应。当局部静水压增加10 mm Hg时，RD-PWV将增加0.28 m / s（95％CI：0.16至0.40； P <0.001）。结论：这项研究表明，RD-PWV可用于无创评估小导管区域僵硬。这一发现为评估主动脉的动脉僵硬度梯度提供了一种综合方法，