P6.04 Comparison Between Pulse Wave Velocity Assessment in the Obese by Transcutaneous Devices Compared to Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Background

Abdominal obesity is a clinical setting recognized as a difficult situation to assess transcutaneous pulse wave velocity (PWV). PWV measurement between carotid and femoral sites is considered as the gold standard measurement of aortic stiffness. Arterial stiffness is an important parameter to assess in obese patient to improve physiopathological knowledge about the link between abdominal adiposity and aortic elastic properties.

Method:

We included prospectively 32 patients mean age of 55.7 ± 5.1 years, presenting abdominal obesity defined by a waist circumference <102 cm in men and <88 cm in women (27 < BMI < 35). Regional aortic PWV was assessed in all patients first by a fast PC cine sequence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between the ascending aorta and the descending thoracic aorta under the diaphragm and second by Pulsepen and Complior II between right carotid and femoral sites.

Results:

Aortic MRI PWV value was 8.00 ± 2.66 m.s-1. Complior II PWV values were significantly lower than those obtained with Pulsepen, respectively 7.88 ± 1.38 m.s-1 vs 9.01 ± 1.64 m.s-1, p < 0.0001. There was a good correlation between Pulsepen PWV and aortic MRI PWV (p = 0.005, r = 0.47) and between Complior II PWV and aortic MRI PWV (p = 0.01, r = 0.43).

Conclusion:

This is the first study to show the reliability of PWV assessment by transcutaneous devices in comparison to MRI PWV measurements in obese patients.