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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
09:33

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

Published on: February 7, 2015

Assessment of the severity of aortic stenosis from the carotid pulse tracing

H Ighiyasu, E Craige

    Japanese Heart Journal
    |July 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    Carotid pulse tracings can distinguish aortic stenosis from normal heart function. However, these external pulse recordings cannot determine the severity of aortic stenosis in patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Diagnostic Imaging

    Background:

    • Valvular aortic stenosis is a significant cardiovascular condition requiring accurate severity assessment.
    • External carotid pulse tracing offers a non-invasive method for cardiovascular evaluation.
    • Understanding the relationship between carotid pulse morphology and aortic stenosis severity is crucial for clinical practice.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the utility of externally recorded carotid pulse tracing in assessing valvular aortic stenosis.
    • To correlate carotid pulse waveform indices with the severity of aortic stenosis.
    • To compare carotid pulse characteristics between patients with aortic stenosis and healthy controls.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of carotid pulse tracings from 33 patients with valvular aortic stenosis and 10 normal controls.
    • Measurement of initial upstroke time (IUT) and rate of rise of the carotid pulse.
    • Correlation of pulse indices with hemodynamic parameters including mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (mVcf), cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, stroke volume, and ejection fraction.

    Main Results:

    • Patients with aortic stenosis exhibited significantly higher IUT and left ventricular ejection time index, and a slower rate of carotid pulse rise compared to controls.
    • Carotid pulse indices (IUT and rate of rise) showed good correlation with mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (mVcf).
    • Severity of aortic stenosis, assessed by valve area and pressure gradient, could not be predicted from the analyzed carotid pulse indices.

    Conclusions:

    • External carotid pulse tracings can effectively differentiate patients with aortic stenosis from normal individuals.
    • The analyzed indices of the external carotid pulse do not provide a reliable measure for quantifying the severity of aortic stenosis.
    • Further research may be needed to explore other non-invasive methods for severity assessment in aortic stenosis.

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