Harmonic analysis of noninvasively recorded arterial pressure waveforms in healthy bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata)

To characterize primate arterial waveforms, we prospectively studied 38 bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata; 25 female, 13 ± 4 y). Brachial artery waveforms were recorded from these animals by applanation tonometry and were decomposed into harmonics by using Fourier analysis. The ratio of individual to total harmonic amplitude (H:T) was derived from frequency spectra. Left ventricular (LV) mass, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness, LV end-diastolic diameter, and LV end-systolic diameter were obtained by echocardiography in all 38 monkeys. Blood pressure was obtained by sphygmomanometry. The fundamental frequency was 2.76 cycles/s. Harmonics ranged from 5 to 14. Indexed LV mass was inversely correlated with third H:T and second H:T but not with systolic or diastolic blood pressure. In addition, the third H:T was inversely correlated with septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness, and LV end-diastolic diameter, whereas second H:T was inversely correlated with LV end-diastolic diameter. Heart rate was inversely correlated with eighth H:T. On multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, weight, and length, only third H:T was an independent predictor of LV mass. Harmonic analysis of arterial waveforms may provide information pertaining to LV mass. Lower H:T ratios (second and third) are related to LV mass, whereas higher H:T (eighth) is related to heart rate.