Objective:

This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a non-invasive device to measure arterial stiffness indices and comparison to standard cuff sphygmomanometery.  

Background:

Hypertension is a risk factor for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Accurate blood pressure assessment is key to prevention. Arterial pressure varies over the cardiac cycle. Only brachial pressures are routinely measured; brachial systolic pressure can be up to 40 mmHg higher than the aorta. New evidence suggests arterial stiffness indices such as augmentation index (AI) may be markers of vascular risk. 

Design/Methods:

This feasibility study was conducted at a single comprehensive stroke center. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of utilizing the device to measure brachial and atrial blood pressure, aortic pulse wave velocity (APWV), aortic pulse pressure (APP), and calculate AI over three study visits over 24-44 weeks from the index stroke. Secondary objectives were comparison of device measurements to standard cuff sphygmomanometry and determination if improvements in brachial blood pressure, central blood pressure, and arterial stiffness occurred. 

Results:

30 patients were enrolled. 29 patients completed the first visit; 14 patients completed all visits. Initial APWV (mean 8.71m/s ± 2.4), APP (mean 43.45 mm Hg ± 14.0), and AI (mean 16.86 ± 14.2) were measured in all 29 patients. Brachial systolic readings between the device (mean 143.3mm Hg ± 20.5) were similar to standard cuff (mean 142.4 mm Hg ± 17.4) but differed from device atrial systolic readings (mean 128.1 mmHg±16.2). Of patients who completed all visits, six had improvement in AI (mean -13.40 ± 5.2) and six had worsening (mean 13.20 ± 12).  

Conclusions: