Comparison of arterial compliance indices derived via beat-to-beat blood pressure waveforms: Aging and ethnicity

John J. Sollers, Marcellus M. Merritt, Rebecca A. Silver, Tammy N. Sadle, Luigi Ferrucci, Julian F. Thayer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Reduced arterial compliance has been implicated as a risk factor for future cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. Recently, several non-invasive techniques have been used to access arterial compliance. However, comparisons of these techniques with older individuals and African-Americans have not been done. In the present study, beat-to-beat blood pressure was examined in 75 males and females (n=24 old Caucasian; n=24 young Caucasian; n=27 African-Americans) who were part of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Resting beat-to-beat blood pressure (5 minutes) was assessed using the PORTAPRES Ambulatory Blood Pressure Device. Results indicated that the three-element windkessel and the stroke volume-pulse pressure ratio measures of arterial compliance provide comparable estimates. Specifically, arterial compliance is reduced in the oldest individuals in our sample with young and African-Americans showing higher compliance. These results indicate that the simpler stroke volume-pulse pressure ratio provides reliable estimates of arterial compliance in both older adults and African-Americans. This technique is an excellent means to assess arterial compliance and is a useful measure to determine risk for adverse cardiovascular events.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)518-523
Number of pages6
JournalBiomedical Sciences Instrumentation
Volume42
StatePublished - Apr 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Arterial compliance
  • BLSA
  • Ethnicity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hardware and Architecture

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