1.2 Associations Between Indicators of Cardiovascular Disease and Pulse Wave Analysis and Velocity: A Comparison of Devices

Abstract

Background

Both the Sphygmocor (S) and Vicorder (V) devices can be used for Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) and Velocity (PWV). We investigated if there were differences in the associations between markers of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and PWA and PWV variables as assessed by the two devices.

Methods

1,722 men (78.5±4.7 yrs) from the British Regional Heart Study underwent PWA and PWV with the Sphygmocor and Vicorder devices. Carotid artery Intima-media Thickness (cIMT), NT-proBNP and Left Ventricle Hypertrophy (LVH) detected by ECG were also assessed. Multiple regression was used to investigate the associations between cIMT, NT-proBNP and LVH with each of the following measures, central Augmentation Pressure (cAP) Augmentation Index (cAIx) Blood Pressure (cBP) and carotid to femoral PWV.

Results

Men with data obtained from both devices were included (PWA n = 1,373, PWV n = 1,122). Following adjustment for CVD risk factors, Sphygmocor cAP, cAIx and cBP were all positively associated with LVH (p < 0.05), the relationship between Sphygmocor PWV and LVH was negative (OR 0.87 95% CI 0.78–0.97). There were no associations between LVH and Vicorder variables. cAP measured by both devices and cAIx by Vicorderwere predictors of NT-proBNP levels (ScAP Beta 0.097 p < 0.05, VcAP Beta 0.153 p < 0.001 & VcAIx Beta 0.129 p < 0.001). Vicorder cBP was the only predictor of cIMT (Beta 0.057 p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The same measures from two devices were predictors of different indicators of CVD. Further exploration is needed to understand these differences, but device used needs to be taken into consideration when comparing findings of these variables with other published results.