Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is considered the gold standard for measurements of central arterial stiffness obtained through noninvasive methods¹. Subjects are placed in the supine position and allowed to rest quietly for at least 10 min prior to the start of the exam. The proper cuff size is selected and a blood pressure is obtained using an oscillometric device. Once a resting blood pressure has been obtained, pressure waveforms are acquired from the right femoral and right common carotid arteries. The system then automatically calculates the pulse transit time between these two sites (using the carotid artery as a surrogate for the descending aorta). Body surface measurements are used to determine the distance traveled by the pulse wave between the two sampling sites. This distance is then divided by the pulse transit time resulting in the pulse wave velocity. The measurements are performed in triplicate and the average is used for analysis.     

脉搏波传导速度检测在评价高血压病患者大动脉弹性中的应用与影响因素分析

目的:探讨脉搏波传导速度(PWV)检测在评估高血压病患者大动脉弹性中的应用价值与影响因素分析 方法:采用分层整体抽样法随机抽取高血压病患者2178例,同时抽取非高血压2182人作为对照组.应用Complior SP VP-1000动脉硬化检测仪测定颈一股动脉脉搏波传导速度(C-FPWV)评估大动脉弹性.采用多元逐步线性回归分析性别、年龄、体质指数(BMI)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三脂(TG)、空腹血糖(FPG)和尿酸(UA)等指标与高血压痛患者大动脉弹性下降的影响因素.结果:C-FPWV平均值高血压组(1594± 264cm/s)显著高于对照组(1216± 231cm/s),两组差异有显著性意义(X2=31.659,P=0.00).＞40岁各年龄段PWV值上升程度,高血压组明显高于对照组(X2＝ 18.954～36.924,P=0.00),两组PWV值上升程度与年龄呈正相关.多元逐步线性回归分析表明:BMI≥28kg/m2、SBP≥ 140mmHg、DBP≥90mmHg、TC＞5.28± 0.62 mmol/L、TG＞ 1.68± 0.64mmol/L等指标高血压组明显高于对照组(t=14.314～17.428,P＜0.05).在性别、UA和FPG等指标两组无明显差异(X2=6.368～13.618,P＞0.05).结论:高血压痛患者PWV值上升程度显著高于非高血压者,BMI、SBP、TG、TC是高血压病患者大动脉弹性下降的主要影响因素.PWV值可作为评价大动脉弹性的可靠指标.     

Improved solution for solitary waves in arteries

 Nonlinear waves are investigated numerically by a direct analysis of the field equations, thereby establishing the magnitude of the errors inherent in the commonly used reductive perturbation technique. The method is also applied beyond the long-wave approximation and a comparative assessment of the results obtained is presented. Received: 11 March 1998 / Revised version: 19 May 1998     

Wave intensity amplification and attenuation in non-linear flow: Implications for the calculation of local reflection coefficients

Local reflection coefficients (R) provide important insights into the influence of wave reflection on vascular haemodynamics. Using the relatively new time-domain method of wave intensity analysis, R has been calculated as the ratio of the peak intensities (R_PI) or areas (R_CI) of incident and reflected waves, or as the ratio of the changes in pressure caused by these waves (R_ΔP). While these methods have not yet been compared, it is likely that elastic non-linearities present in large arteries will lead to changes in the size of waves as they propagate and thus errors in the calculation of R_PI and R_CI. To test this proposition, R_PI, R_CI and R_ΔP were calculated in a non-linear computer model of a single vessel with various degrees of elastic non-linearity, determined by wave speed and pulse amplitude (ΔP₊), and a terminal admittance to produce reflections. Results obtained from this model demonstrated that under linear flow conditions (i.e. as ΔP₊→0), R_ΔP is equivalent to the square-root of R_PI and R_CI (denoted by R_PI^p and R_CI^p). However for non-linear flow, pressure-increasing (compression) waves undergo amplification while pressure-reducing (expansion) waves undergo attenuation as they propagate. Consequently, significant errors related to the degree of elastic non-linearity arise in R_PI and R_CI, and also R_PI^p and R_CI^p, with greater errors associated with larger reflections. Conversely, R_ΔP is unaffected by the degree of non-linearity and is thus more accurate than R_PI and R_CI.     

高血压患者脉搏波参数与脉搏波传导速度的相关性研究

目的:探讨高血压患者脉搏波参数与脉搏波传导速度的相关性,为从脉图上辨识高血压病及脉搏波参数的拓展应用提供参考。方法:选择2012年6月至2013年6月在北京安贞医院和北京人民医院门诊和住院确诊的原发性高血压患者32例作为实验组,并招募健康成人志愿者29例作为对照组。利用中医四诊合参辅助诊疗仪与皮尺分别采集两组受试者的左侧寸口脉图信息和主动脉至桡动脉的血管长度,计算脉搏波参数及脉搏波传导速度,采用方差分析和皮尔逊简单相关的统计方法分析高血压患者不同的脉搏波参数与其脉搏波传导速度的相关性。结果:与对照组比较,实验组的PWV显著升高,有显著性差异(P0.05)。实验组H2/H1明显高于对照组(P0.05),但H4/H1、T1/T、T2/T比值均显著低于对照组(P0.05),差异均有显著性意义(P0.05)。高血压患者的H2/H1、T1/T、T2/T、H4/H1均与其PWV相关,其中H2/H1与PWV呈显著正相关(P0.05),T1/T、T2/T与PWV呈显著负相关(P0.05),H4/H1与PWV呈一般正相关(P0.05)。结论:高血压患者的脉搏波参数与脉搏波传导速度具有显著相关性,且潮波出现的幅值与脉搏波传导速度有显著正相关;脉搏波上升支和潮波的时值与脉搏波传导速度具有显著负相关,重搏波相对高度与脉搏波传导速度具有一般相关关系,因而可通过脉搏波参数的变化了解高血压患者血管弹性的状态。     

脉搏波时标对臂踝脉搏波传播速度测量的影响

臂踝脉搏波传播速度(brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity,baPWV)测量是一种便捷、无创的方法,可用于人体动脉硬化度的评估,在临床和科学研究中广泛应用于血管早期病变的筛查和心血管系统风险的评估。本文设计开发了人体上臂和踝部脉搏波波形采集系统,并利用该系统对59名健康成年人进行实验,研究了目前三种最常用的脉搏波时标(pulse timing mark,PTM)定义方法对baPWV测量的影响。实验结果表明,选用不同的PTM方法所测得的baPWV结果具有显著的差异性(P0.001)。而且,PTM方法的不同还影响到了baPWV与年龄、血压的相互关系。     

In-vitro investigation of a potential wave pumping effect in human aorta

An impedance pump – also known as Liebau pump – is a simple valveless pump that operates based on the principles of wave propagation and reflection. It has been shown in embryonic zebrafish that a similar mechanism is responsible for the pumping action in the embryonic heart during the early stages before valve formation. Recent studies suggest that the cardiovascular system is designed to take advantage of wave propagation and reflection phenomena in the arterial network. In this study we report the results of an in-vitro study that examines the hypothesis that the adult human aorta acts as a passive pump based on Liebau effect. A hydraulic model with different compliant models of an artificial aorta was used for a series of in-vitro experiments. Our result indicates that wave propagation and reflection can result in a pumping mechanism in a compliant aorta.     

The prostacyclin analogue beraprost sodium prevents development of arterial stiffness in elderly patients with cerebral infarction

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) inhibits platelet aggregation, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and vasoconstriction. Arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts mortality in various cardiovascular diseases. To study the preventive effects of a prostacyclin analogue, beraprost sodium, on arterial PWV values in elderly patients with cerebral infarction. Forty-four patients with a history of cerebral infarction received beraprost sodium (120 microg/day p.o.) or no beraprost sodium (control) for 3 months. Arterial PWV and ankle brachial indices (ABI) were determined prior to starting the medication and after 3 months of medication. Initially, there were no differences in age, blood pressure, and body mass index. Further, PWV or ABI did not differ between the beraprost sodium group (n = 22) and the control group (n = 22). After 3 months, PWV in beraprost sodium group was significantly reduced (-123 +/- 282) when compared with the control group (147 +/- 274)(P = 0.006). ABI was not significantly different when comparing the two groups at 3 months. Long-term administration of beraprost sodium prevents the decline in arterial biomechanics in elderly patients with cerebral infarction.     

Descending aorta subject-specific one-dimensional model validated against in vivo data

The aorta plays a major role in the cardiovascular system and its function and structure are primarily affected by aging, eating habits, life style and other cardiovascular risk factors, inducing increased stiffness which is associated with cardiovascular and cerebral morbi-mortality. Our objective was to develop and validate a robust subject-specific one-dimensional wave propagation numerical model of the descending aorta. This model with a cross-sectional area, velocity and pressure formulation is built using geometric and hemodynamic data measured on a specific person and is validated against in vivo data acquired on the same subject at three distinct anatomical locations along the thoracic aorta. We studied seven healthy volunteers, who underwent carotid applanation tonometry and aortic cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Responses of our model in terms of changes in central pressure waveform with arterial alterations were consistent with previously described physiological knowledge. Quantitative validation averaged over the three descending aortic locations and the seven subjects provided low rms errors (given in percentage of the maximal clinical value) between simulated and CMR data, i.e. area: 10±6%, velocity: 11±3%, flow rate: 9±3%. Finally, we also found low rms (5±2%) when comparing simulated pressure in the proximal aortic location against tonometric carotid pressure curves. In conclusion, this simple model performs similar to more complex models of the entire systemic arterial tree at a fraction of the cost, and could be of major usefulness in the non-invasive and local estimation of proximal biomechanical and hemodynamic indices.     

Nonlinear modelling of renal vasoaction

The control of blood pressure is a complex mixture of neural, hormonal and intrinsic interactions at the level of the heart, kidney and blood vessels. While experimental approaches to understanding these interactions are useful, it remains difficult to conduct experiments to quantify these interactions as the number of parameters increases. Thus, modelling of such physiological systems can offer considerable assistance. Typical mathematical models which describe the ability of the blood vessels to change their diameter (vasoconstriction) assume linearity of operation. However, due to the interaction of multiple vasocontrictive and vasodilative effectors, there is a significant nonlinear response to the influence of neural factors, particularly at higher levels of nerve activity (often seen in subjects with high blood pressure) which leads to low blood flow rates. This paper proposes a number of nonlinear mathematical models for the relationship between neural influences (sympathetic nerve activity (SNA)) and renal blood flow, using a feedback path to model the predominantly nonlinear effect of local vasoactive modulators such as nitric oxide, which oppose the action of SNA. The model structures are motivated by basic physiological principles, while the model parameters are determined using numerical optimisation techniques using open-loop data collected from rabbits. The models were verified by demonstrating correlation between experimental results and model outputs.     

脉冲电场和磁场对高血粘和高凝血影响的比较研究

比较研究脉冲电场和脉冲磁场对高血粘和高凝血的影响,探寻降低血液粘度,抑制凝血过快、过强的物理方法.每份血样等分9份,1份作对照,对另外8份分别作不同的脉冲电场或磁场处理.结果显示不同上升沿速率的脉冲电场和磁场对高血粘和高凝血的影响程度不同,上升沿速率为2.5 × 105T s-1的脉冲磁场使全血表观粘度η降低(P＜0.01)、复钙凝血时间tr变长(P＜0.01),血块的最大剪切应力τax变小(P＜0.01).脉冲磁场作用能改善高血粘和高凝血状况.     

绝经女性冠状动脉钙化积分与臂踝动脉脉搏波传导速度的相关性研究

目的:研究绝经女性中冠脉钙化积分(CACS)与臂踝动脉脉搏波传导速度(ba PWV)之间的相关性。方法:从1918名社区人群筛选出546名无冠心病病史并可以进行CACS检查的绝经女性为样本,对其进行标准化问卷调查、实验室指标检测、ba PWV及CACS测量。根据CACS将研究对象分为CACS=0组和CACS0组,并根据ba PWV四分位数进行分组,利用logistic回归分析冠脉钙化与ba PWV的相关性。结果:研究人群中CACS0组87例(15.9%),CACS=0组459例(84.1%)。其中CACS0组在年龄、BMI、高血压、收缩压、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白及糖尿病方面均高于CACS=0组。同时,CACS0组ba PWV比CACS=0组高(27.6%vs.24.2%,35.6%vs.23.1%),两组间差异有统计学意义(P=0.011),并且Logistic回归发现,绝经女性年龄(OR=1.094,95%CI 1.039-1.152,P0.001)、高血压(OR=1.933,95%CI 1.092-3.422,P=0.024)、ba PWV第三分位数(OR=2.435,95%CI1.141-5.196,P=0.021)、ba PWV第四分位数(OR=3.323,95%CI 1.594-6.930,P=0.001)是冠脉钙化的独立危险因素。结论:绝经女性ba PWV升高与CACS相关,ba PWV可以作为一种评估冠脉钙化程度和心血管风险的有效手段得以应用。     

Accuracy of pulse oximetry during intense exercise under severe hypoxic conditions

There is a growing need to measure arterial oxygen saturation with a non-invasive method during heavy exercise under severe hypoxic conditions. Although the accuracy of pulse oximetry has been challenged by several authors, it has not been done under extreme conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a pulse oximeter (Satlite, Datex, Finland) during exercise under hypoxic conditions where arterial oxygen saturation was below 75%, simulating exercise at extreme altitude. Ten healthy non-smoking men performed two exercise studies of 30 min under normoxia and under hypoxia on two consecutive days. The exercise intensity was 80% of maximal O₂ consumption of O_2max. Arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry was corrected (S _pO_2[corr]) according to previously published equations and was compared to arterial oxygen saturation (S _aO₂) in blood samples taken simultaneously from the radial artery. Reference arterial saturation values ranged from 57.2 to 97.6% for the whole data set. This data set was split according to low (S _aO₂ ≤ 75%) and high (S _aO₂ > 75%) S _aO₂ values. The error of pulse oximetry (S _pO_2[corr]− S _aO₂) was 2.05 (0.87)% [mean (SD)] and 1.80 (1.81)% for high and low S _aO₂ values, respectively. S _pO_2[corr] and S _aO₂ were highly correlated (r = 0.93, SEE = 1.8) for low values. During high-intensity constant workload under severe hypoxic conditions, once corrected, pulse oximetry provides an estimate of S _aO₂ with a mean error of 2%. Thus, the correction previously described for S _pO₂ values above 75% saturation applies also to S _pO₂ values in the range of 57–75% during exercise under hypoxic conditions. Accepted: 27 February 1997     

Tolerance and threshold in the extrinsic coagulation system

This paper focus on the quest for mechanisms that are able to create tolerance and an activation threshold in the extrinsic coagulation cascade. We propose that the interplay of coagulation inhibitor and blood flow creates threshold behavior. First we test this hypothesis in a minimal, four dimensional model. This model can be analysed by means of time scale analysis. We find indeed that only the interplay of blood flow and inhibition together are able to produce threshold behavior. The mechanism relays on a combination of raw substance supply and wash-out effect by the blood flow and a stabilization of the resting state by the inhibition. We use the insight into this minimal model to interpret the simulation results of a large model. Here, we find that the initiating steps (TF that produces together with fVII(a) factor Xa) does not exhibit threshold behavior, but the overall system does. Hence, the threshold behavior appears via the feedback loop (in that fIIa produces indirectly fXa that in turn produces fIIa again) inhibited by ATIII and blood flow.     

Suitability of frequency modulated thermal wave imaging for skin cancer detection—A theoretical prediction

A theoretical study on the quantification of surface thermal response of cancerous human skin using the frequency modulated thermal wave imaging (FMTWI) technique has been presented in this article. For the first time, the use of the FMTWI technique for the detection and the differentiation of skin cancer has been demonstrated in this article. A three dimensional multilayered skin has been considered with the counter-current blood vessels in individual skin layers along with different stages of cancerous lesions based on geometrical, thermal and physical parameters available in the literature. Transient surface thermal responses of melanoma during FMTWI of skin cancer have been obtained by integrating the heat transfer model for biological tissue along with the flow model for blood vessels. It has been observed from the numerical results that, flow of blood in the subsurface region leads to a substantial alteration on the surface thermal response of the human skin. The alteration due to blood flow further causes a reduction in the performance of the thermal imaging technique during the thermal evaluation of earliest melanoma stages (small volume) compared to relatively large volume. Based on theoretical study, it has been predicted that the method is suitable for detection and differentiation of melanoma with comparatively large volume than the earliest development stages (small volume). The study has also performed phase based image analysis of the raw thermograms to resolve the different stages of melanoma volume. The phase images have been found to be clearly individuate the different development stages of melanoma compared to raw thermograms.