Objectives: Recently, a novel method to estimate aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) noninvasively from an oscillometric single brachial cuff waveform reading has been introduced. We investigated whether this new approach provides acceptable estimates of aPWV compared with intra-aortic catheter measurements.
Methods: Estimated values of aPWV obtained from brachial cuff readings were compared with those obtained using an intra-aortic catheter in 120 patients (mean age 61.8±10.8 years) suspected for coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac catheterization. Differences between aPWV values obtained from the test device and those obtained from catheter measurements were estimated using Bland-Altman analysis.
Results: The mean difference±SD between brachial cuff-derived values and intra-aortic values was 0.43±1.24 m/s. Comparison of aPWV measured by the two methods showed a significant linear correlation (Pearson's R=0.81, P<0.0001). The mean difference for repeated oscillometric measurements of aPWV was 0.05 m/s, with 95% confidence interval limits from -0.47 to 0.57 m/s.
Conclusion: aPWV can be obtained using an oscillometric device with brachial cuffs with acceptable accuracy compared with intra-aortic readings.