Abstract
Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a relevant indicator of arterial stiffness, can be measured noninvasively with a variety of automatic devices, but most are complexly equipped. We developed a novel index for estimating arterial stiffness as “QPV interval,” which was determined by means of surface electrocardiogram and Doppler ultrasound of the brachial artery simultaneously.
Hypothesis: This study aimed to validate the QPV interval as an exact and convenient index for estimation of arterial stiffness.
Methods: Forty‐seven patients with untreated essential hypertension and 19 normotensive subjects were enrolled. Brachial‐ankle PWV (baPWV) was measured using an automatic volume‐plethysmographic apparatus, and Doppler ultrasound was implemented sequentially to measure the QPV interval in each subject. Clinical biochemistry and echocardiography were performed on the same day.
Results: Mean baPWV was significantly higher in hypertensive patients than in normotensive subjects (p = 0.002), whereas mean QPV interval was significantly shorter in hypertensive patients than in the normotensive group (p = 0.019). A simple regression analysis demonstrated an inverse correlation between the QPV interval and baPWV (r = −0.671, p < 0.001) in all enrolled subjects. In a stepwise regression model that adjusted for age, systolic blood pressure, and other determinants of baPWV, the negative association remained between the QPV interval and baPWV (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The QPV interval correlates inversely with baPWV, independent of age and other determinants of baPWV; hence, the QPV interval can serve as a simple and convenient index for assessing arterial stiffness in clinical practice.
Keywords: arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity, QPV interval, Doppler ultrasound
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Reference
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