Non-invasive method for the assessment of non-linear elastic properties and stress of forearm arteries in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
To propose a method for obtaining non-invasive highly accurate measurements of arterial diameter, thickness and pressure at a single location on a peripheral arm artery, and use this data to estimate the status of the arterial wall.


METHODS
Diameter and thickness were measured with an A-mode ultrasonic echo-tracking device, with a precision of close to 1 micron. Pressure was measured with a photoplethysmograph at the finger level. A simple hemodynamic model was used to estimate, from the measured pressure pulse, the pressure waveform at the diameter-measuring site.


RESULTS
The collected data made it possible to assess (1) the elastic response of the artery, through the compliance and distensibility, (2) the loading conditions, through the average stress-diameter curve and (3) the elastic properties of the wall material, through the incremental modulus of elasticity.


CONCLUSIONS
This information can be used to assess the overall status of the arterial wall.
Meister
J J
JJ
Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne.
Tardy
Y
Y
Stergiopulos
N
N
Hayoz
D
D
Brunner
H R
HR
Etienne
J D
JD
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D003187:Compliance; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D017156:Photoplethysmography; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014463:Ultrasonography