Feasibility of oscillometric aortic pressure and stiffness assessment using the VaSera VS-1500: comparison with a common tonometric method

Abstract

Objectives: A number of operator-independent oscillometric devices to measure hemodynamics and arterial stiffness became available recently, but some and in particular VaSera VS-1500 do not provide estimates of aortic pressures and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV). The aim of this work was the retrospective application of the ARCSolver algorithm to pulse wave signals acquired with the VaSera VS-1500 device to estimate central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and aPWV.

Materials and methods: ARCSolver estimates of cSBP and aPWV, on the basis of brachial cuff measurements, were compared pair-wise with results from the tonometric SphygmoCor device in 68 individuals (mean age 51±18 years). We used variation estimates, correlation coefficients, age group-related t-tests, and the Bland-Altman method to analyze the reproducibility and agreement of the two methods.

Results: cSBP reproducibility expressed as variability was 14.9% for ARCSolver and 11.6% for SphygmoCor. PWV reproducibility was better for ARCSolver, with a variation estimate of 6.5%, compared with 20.9% using SphygmoCor. The mean cSBP difference was 0.5 mmHg (SD 6.9 mmHg) and 0.32 m/s (SD 1.20 m/s) for PWV, respectively. The age-related differences between ARCSolver and SphygmoCor are in line with previous studies. Bland-Altman plots showed considerable agreement between the two methods without signs of systematic bias.

Conclusion: These results show that the combined application of the ARCSolver method with the VaSera VS-1500 device is feasible and the results are comparable with tonometric determination of cSBP and aPWV. This successful application of the ARCSolver may potentially help to improve cardiovascular risk stratification and prevention at an early stage in a community setting.