Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
Assessing normal pulse wave velocity in the proximal pulmonary arteries using transit time: a feasibility,
William M Bradlow1, Peter D Gatehouse, Ray L Hughes
1Imperial College, and Cardiovascular MR Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, United Kingdom. w.bradlow@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
Purpose:
To calculate pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the proximal pulmonary arteries (PAs) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using the transit-time method, and address respiratory variation, repeatability, and observer reproducibility.
Materials And Methods:
A 1.9-msec interleaved phase velocity sequence was repeated three times consecutively in 10 normal subjects. Pulse wave (PW) arrival times (ATs) were determined for the main and branch PAs. The PWV was calculated by dividing the path length traveled by the difference in ATs. Respiratory variation was considered by comparing acquisitions with and without respiratory gating.
Results:
For navigated data the mean PWVs for the left PA (LPA) and right PA (RPA) were 2.09 +/- 0.64 m/second and 2.33 +/- 0.44 m/second, respectively. For non-navigated data the mean PWVs for the LPA and RPA were 2.14 +/- 0.41 m/second and 2.31 +/- 0.49 m/second, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between respiratory non-navigated data and navigated data. Repeated on-table measurements were consistent (LPA non-navigated P = 0.95, RPA non-navigated P = 0.91, LPA navigated P = 0.96, RPA navigated P = 0.51). The coefficients of variation (CVs) were 12.2% and 12.5% for intra- and interobserver assessments, respectively.
Conclusion:
One can measure PWV in the proximal PAs using transit-time in a reproducible manner without respiratory gating.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Assessment of apical radial pulse
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
01:11Assessment of radial pulse
The radial pulse, located at the wrist, is often the preferred site for assessing peripheral pulse because of its accessibility and dependability. The process of determining the radial pulse involves several steps: