Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity in Children in South Africa: Reference Values for the Vicorder Device
Claire Davies1, Florin Vaida2, Kennedy Otwombe3,4
1Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Insights
This study establishes pulse wave velocity (PWV) reference values for African children, revealing a flat PWV trend during childhood and adolescence. These findings aid in early detection of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular disease risk in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Atherosclerosis, a precursor to adult cardiovascular disease, often originates in childhood.
- Arterial stiffness, detectable in children, is an early indicator of vascular disease.
- Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the non-invasive gold standard for measuring arterial stiffness in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define age- and height-specific pulse wave velocity (PWV) reference values for African children.
- To establish normative data for arterial stiffness in a South African pediatric cohort.
- To facilitate early identification and surveillance of cardiovascular disease risk in African children.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 324 African children (ages 6-16) in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Collected 959 carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements annually using the Vicorder device.
- Constructed gender-specific centile curves by age and height utilizing the Lamda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method.
Main Results:
- African children exhibit a relatively flat pulse wave velocity (PWV) trend from ages 7 to 14 years.
- PWV remained stable between standing heights of 120 cm and 170 cm.
- Developed gender-specific percentile curves for PWV based on age and height.
Conclusions:
- The established PWV reference values enable accurate monitoring of arterial elasticity in African children.
- Early detection of arterial stiffness is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health.
- These data support timely interventions to prevent the progression of cardiovascular disease from childhood.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis often starts in childhood, tracking to adulthood. In children, early vascular disease can be detected as arterial stiffness. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is considered the non-invasive gold standard method for measuring arterial stiffness and widely accepted for use in children. We define pulse wave velocity (PWV) reference values for African children, in a cohort of children and adolescents living in Cape Town, South Africa, using the oscillometric Vicorder device, and considering the anatomical pathway in growing children. Three hundred and twenty four children (6-16 years old) were followed annually at Tygerberg Hospital, from March 2014 to March 2020, yielding 959 longitudinal PWV measurements. Centile curves for males and females by age and height were constructed using the Lamda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method. Our study demonstrates that African children have a relatively flat PWV throughout childhood and early adolescence, from 7 to 14 years of age, and between 120 and 170 cm standing height. These gender-specific percentiles for age and height will allow accurate surveillance of arterial elasticity in African children over time. The identification of children at high risk is important given the long-term health implications and the effectiveness of early intervention to prevent progression to cardiovascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:17Assessment of apical pulse
Assessing the apical pulse is a critical nursing procedure, particularly indicated for:
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
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
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: