Table 1 Selective non-invasive indices of arterial stiffness/compliance (from Schillaci and Parati5, by permission)
From: Information on arterial properties from home blood pressure monitoring: work still in progress
Index | Method | Availability | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Elastic modulus | Ultrasound (or MRI)+BP | + | Requires no assumptions from circulation models | Requires echotracking systems or MRI |
Arterial distensibility | Problems with local BP estimate | |||
Arterial compliance | Requires considerable expertise | |||
PWV (carotid–femoral) | Pulse signal (any type) | ++ | Gold standard for arterial stiffness | Lack of consistency between different techniques |
Limited accuracy in measuring distance | ||||
PWV (brachial–ankle) | Pulse signal (any type) | +++ | Easier to measure than carotid–femoral PWV | As above |
Based on anomalous transit tract | ||||
Aortic augmentation index | BP waveform | +++ | Reflects left ventricular load and coronary blood flow | Indirect index for arterial stiffness |
Needs pressure wave calibration | ||||
Controversial accuracy of arterial transfer function | ||||
Oscillatory compliance | BP waveform | +++ | Fast acquisition | Needs theoretical assumptions (Windkessel model) |
No specific expertise | ||||
Brachial PP | BP | ++++ | Obtainable with any BP measurement | Influenced by PP amplification, heart rate, vasodilatation, SV |
PP/SV | Echocardiography+BP | ++ | Integrates ventricular and vascular function | Problems with SV calculation and peripheral PP |
Based on a two-element hydraulic system | ||||
Pulse wave arrival time (QKd) | EKG+ambulatory BP | +++ | No dedicated equipment | Influenced by height, pre-ejection time |
Ambulatory arterial stiffness index | Ambulatory BP | +++ | No dedicated equipment | Influenced by day–night BP reduction, systolic/diastolic BP correlation |
