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Non-invasive studies of peripheral vascular compliance using a non-occluding photoplethysmographic method

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Abstract

A non-invasive technique is implemented to measure a peripheral vascular compliance index Cindex, using an infrared photoplethysmographic waveform as an indicator of intravascular volume change and a continuous blood pressure monitor to measure the blood pressure during each heart-beat. The non-linear behaviour of Cindex with pressure and the effect of age on Cindex are studied in 62 males (15–73 years). Repeatability tests and the effect of ice-water exposure of a portion of a limb are studied in 10 and 14 subjects, respectively. For each individual, Cindex measurements are taken at discrete values of local mean arterial pressure (Pmean), and a Cindex against Pmean plot is obtained. There is a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in Cindex for the lower values of Pmean (60–100 mmHg) between two age groups formed (15–52 and 58–73 years). The cold-pressor test (CPT) shows a 68% median decrease in Cindex, with an inter-quartile range of 60–77%, in a matter of seconds. The results suggest that Cindex may be a useful noninvasive indicator of peripheral vascular compliance in humans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Minnesota, USA

    E. A. López-Beltrán

  2. Departamento Electrónica, Univ. Alcalá de Henares, 28871, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain

    E. A. López-Beltrán

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering & Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Minnesota, USA

    P. L. Blackshear

  4. Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology & Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Minnesota, USA

    S. M. Finkelstein

  5. Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, University of Minnesota, USA

    J. N. Cohn

Authors
  1. E. A. López-Beltrán
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  2. P. L. Blackshear
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  3. S. M. Finkelstein
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  4. J. N. Cohn
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Correspondence to E. A. López-Beltrán.

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López-Beltrán, E.A., Blackshear, P.L., Finkelstein, S.M. et al. Non-invasive studies of peripheral vascular compliance using a non-occluding photoplethysmographic method. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 36, 748–753 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518879

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518879

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