Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy,
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2014;114(7):1503-12. doi: 10.1007/s00421-014-2881-2. Epub 2014 Apr 12.
Carotid pulse wave velocity (PWV) is considered as a surrogate marker for carotid stiffness and its assessment is increasingly being used in clinical practice. However, at the moment, its estimation needs specific equipment and a moderate level of technical expertise; moreover, it is based on a mathematical model. The aim of this study was to validate a new system for non-invasive and model-free carotid PWV assessment based on accelerometric sensors by comparison with currently used techniques.
Accelerometric PWV (accPWV) values were obtained in 97 volunteers free of cardiovascular disease (age 24-85 years) and compared with standard ultrasound-based carotid stiffness parameters, such as carotid PWV (cPWV), relative distension (relD) and distensibility coefficient (DC). Moreover, the comparison between accPWV measurements and carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) was performed.
Accelerometric PWV evaluations showed a significant correlation with cPWV measurements (R = 0.67), relD values (R = 0.66) and DC assessments (R = 0.64). These values were also significantly correlated with cfPWV evaluations (R = 0.46). In addition, the first attempt success rate was equal to 76.8 %.
The accelerometric system allows a simple and quick local carotid stiffness evaluation and the values obtained with this system are significantly correlated with known carotid stiffness biomarkers. Therefore, the presented device could provide a concrete opportunity for an easy carotid stiffness evaluation even in clinical practice.
颈动脉脉搏波速度（PWV）被认为是颈动脉僵硬度的替代标志物，其评估越来越多地应用于临床实践。然而，目前，其估计需要特定的设备和中等水平的技术专业知识；此外，它是基于数学模型的。本研究的目的是通过与当前使用的技术进行比较，验证一种基于加速计传感器的新型无创、无模型颈动脉 PWV 评估系统。
在 97 名无心血管疾病的志愿者（年龄 24-85 岁）中获得加速度计 PWV（accPWV）值，并将其与标准超声颈动脉僵硬度参数（如颈动脉 PWV（cPWV）、相对扩张度（relD）和可扩张性系数（DC））进行比较。此外，还对 accPWV 测量值与颈动脉-股动脉 PWV（cfPWV）进行了比较。
加速度计 PWV 评估与 cPWV 测量（R=0.67）、relD 值（R=0.66）和 DC 评估（R=0.64）具有显著相关性。这些值与 cfPWV 评估也有显著相关性（R=0.46）。此外，首次尝试的成功率等于 76.8%。
加速度计系统允许简单快速的局部颈动脉僵硬度评估，并且该系统获得的值与已知的颈动脉僵硬度生物标志物显著相关。因此，所提出的设备即使在临床实践中也可以为简便的颈动脉僵硬度评估提供切实机会。
