Learn best practices for performing a SphygmoCor pulse wave velocity assessment.0:37 Establishing Communication with the Module1:32 Prepare for Pulse Wave.
- Each time your heart beats it induces a wave along the aorta and arterial tree. This wave leads to blood volume changes in the vessels that expand and contract in response to these changes. Pulse Wave Velocity is the propagation speed of this wave along the arteries. Increased stiffness of the arteries increases Pulse Wave Velocity.
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV is an effective and highly reproducible measure for evaluating vascular endothelial dysfunction (i.e. The elasticity of the artery) and arterial stiffness.
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is widely recognized as a simple and reliable clinical measure of arterial stiffness/elasticity, which is correlated with vascular disease. The contractions of the heart, which drive the arterial blood, also generate arterial blood pressure pulse.
Don’t Be Misled by a Fake PWV
With VICORDER® you are able to measure PWVcf, between the carotid and the femoral arteries, a Gold Standard measure of arterial stiffness, as postulated by scientific societies. Don’t be misled by some oscillometric devices, based on a one channel assessment of brachial pressure through an upper arm cuff only – without the recording of a second pressure wave, claiming to “measure” PWV. In reality, only reflection dependent oscillations on the brachial wave are evaluated leading to reflection times, not pulse wave transit times. At best, these methods will allow an indirect estimation of PWV only, as neither reflection points can be localized, nor can dependence on reflection properties be excluded. In particular, when the potential travel distance of the pulse wave is not measured but again estimated from body height, one should not refer to this indirect PWV approximation as a “measurement”. Several studies have shown substantial differences between reflection dependent PWV estimation and Gold Standard PWVcf. In one instrument, deviations of more than +3.5 m/s were documented leading to the conclusion that results cannot be exchanged with those obtained by other devices8. This implies that aortic PWV norms published by the ESC and ECH9 can hardly be applied in these instruments.
Simple and Safe Application in Pediatrics and Epidemiology
VICORDER® is also well suited for application in young adults and children, even in babies and neonates. The direct measurement of pulse wave transit time and distance enables an exact determination of PWVcf without any patient cooperation, offering optimum comfort, operator independence, also in obese patients. Due to the simple and fast application, usually in less than five minutes, without the removal of clothes, VICORDER® offers the method of choice in clinical and epidemiological studies. Normative data in children and adolescents have been published610.
Excellent Results also in the Private Office and Outpatient Clinic
Evaluation of arterial stiffness by VICORDER®, in particular through PWVcf, constitutes a substantial advancement in the follow-up of hypertonic patients. Assessment of the individual risk towards severe cardio-vascular events as well as the choice and titration of therapy can directly be derived. In combination with the Ankle-Brachial-Index (ABI), incorporated in any VICORDER® model, simple, fast, yet sound functional diagnostics can be offered, while tests can safely be delegated safely to techs and nurses.
Advantages of VICORDER® PWV Measurement
- Fast test, typically in three minutes
- Synchronous highly precise measurement of transit time
- Synchronous pressure wave display for optimal verfication
- Concise documentation of waves and parameters
- Auto-Storage of patient and test data
- Networking and central archive
- Optional export of all results into CSV files
Pulse Wave Velocity Pwv
Pulse wave velocity is a method used to gauge the health of blood vessels as people age, or to diagnose conditions of the cardiovascular system. Healthy and flexible blood vessels can better absorb the force of the blood as it leaves the heart before it moves on to the peripheral arteries and capillaries. A pulse wave velocity measurement is used to determine arterial stiffness in a non-invasive way, which can help physicians diagnose and monitor many vascular diseases such as hypertension. It is measured by attaching electrodes to the wrists and ankles, and using software to analyze blood flow and the elasticity of arteries.
The large arteries around the heart are lined by muscle cells, as well as elastin and collagen fibers that are flexible enough to protect the arteries when blood is ejected from the heart at high pressures. Arteries near the heart can stretch so that the pressure of the blood is lower when it reaches smaller and more fragile blood vessels in the body. This elasticity also allows the pressure to push on the arterial walls evenly. If the elasticity decreases, blood pressure can increase throughout the vascular system and there is more stress on the heart. Sync contacts multiple google accounts.
Pulse Wave Velocity Technology
By measuring pulse wave velocity between two places such as the carotid artery and the femoral artery, doctors can tell the flexibility or stiffness of the aorta, or main artery leaving the heart. This information can be used to diagnose and treat a condition. Problems such as high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, and disturbances in blood circulation can be detected. Other methods for monitoring arterial stiffness include ultrasound and using pattern recognition to analyze of the pulse pressure signal within the aorta.
Pulse Wave Velocity Definition
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values are measured using pulse wave velocity. How well the aorta dampens the pressure from ventricular and arterial pulses can also be detected. Scientifically, the ability to measure pulse waves began in the early 1800s and arterial wall stiffness is measured using mathematical calculations derived from Sir Isaac Newton’s second law of motion. The relationship of pulse wave velocity to the stiffness of arterial walls can be determined by dividing the wave’s distance by how long it takes it to travel that far. Pressure and flow measurements, however, must be included to accurately measure blood flow, so a thorough analysis is performed by medical software programs that analyze data from pulse measuring equipment.