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Pulse wave velocity and the non-invasive methods used to assess it: Complior, SphygmoCor, Arteriograph and Vicorder
Jennifer M Davies1, Marc A Bailey, Kathryn J Griffin
1The Division of Cardiovascular & Diabetes Research, The Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health & Therapeutics, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT.
Insights
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessment for cardiovascular risk varies by device. The Arteriograph showed less variance but poor agreement with other methods, highlighting the need for standardized PWV measurement.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Medical Device Evaluation
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a critical non-invasive biomarker for arterial stiffness and predicting cardiovascular risk.
- Accurate measurement of PWV is essential for reliable risk stratification and clinical decision-making.
- Several non-invasive devices exist for PWV assessment, but their comparative performance is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the evidence supporting four major non-invasive devices for carotid-femoral PWV measurement: Complior, SphygmoCor, Arteriograph, and Vicorder.
- To assess the agreement and variability among these devices in human studies.
- To identify areas for standardization to improve PWV measurement reliability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Medline databases (1960-2011) for studies measuring carotid-femoral PWV.
- Inclusion of studies utilizing one or more of the four specified devices (Complior, SphygmoCor, Arteriograph, Vicorder).
- Analysis of 43 eligible studies out of 183 retrieved articles to compare device performance.
Main Results:
- The Arteriograph device exhibited the least measurement variance among the evaluated devices.
- However, the Arteriograph showed poor agreement with the other three devices (Complior, SphygmoCor, Vicorder).
- Significant variability exists in current PWV assessment methods.
Conclusions:
- Establishment of undisputed, internationally agreed-upon reference values for PWV is crucial.
- Standardization of superficial distance measurement techniques is necessary to reduce variability in PWV assessment.
- Further research involving direct comparison of all four devices against invasive gold standards is required.
Abstract:
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a known indicator of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk. We critically evaluated the evidence supporting the four main non-invasive devices available to assess it: Complior, SphygmoCor, Arteriograph and Vicorder. PubMed and Medline databases (1960-2011) were searched to identify studies reporting carotid-femoral PWV in humans using one or more of the four devices. Of the 183 articles retrieved, 43 met inclusion criteria. The Arteriograph device demonstrated least variance but had poor agreement with the other devices. Undisputable reference values for PWV need to be established and internationally agreed, and a standardized method for superficial distance measurement generated to reduce variability. Further studies comparing all four devices with invasive assessment are necessary.