title: Six-channel ECG-based pulse wave velocity for assessing whole-body arterial stiffness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the proposal of different means of non-invasive arterial stiffness assessment, none offers simultaneous information on whole-body peripheral arterial condition. We investigated the validity of applying a six-channel electrocardiogram-based pulse wave velocity (ECG-PWV) measurement system for this purpose.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of two parts. Part One enrolled hypertensive (Group 1, n = 32) and normal (Group 2, n = 32) subjects, whereas Part Two recruited diabetic (Group 3, n = 50) and normal (Group 4, n = 50) subjects. To validate the application of ECG-PWV in assessing peripheral arterial stiffness in different parts of body, ECG-PWV data were compared with three other parameters including the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), pulse wave velocity-digital volume pulse (PWV-DVP) and intima-media thickness (IMT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ECG-PWV in healthy subjects in Part One correlated significantly with CAVI and PWV-DVP (p < 0.05), whereas ECG-PWV and CAVI were significantly different between the hypertensive and normal subjects. Moreover, comparison of IMT and ECG-PWV from different sites showed significant correlation only between IMT and ECG-PWV from earlobe (r = 0.495, p = 0.004). No significant association, however, was noted between IMT and CAVI. For Part Two, significant differences existed between diabetic and normal subjects in body weight, waist circumference, level of HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, serum creatinine and ECG-PWV from the foot. However, no significant difference was noted in PWV-DVP between two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Six-channel ECG-PWV measurement system showed remarkable correlation with IMT in hypertensive subjects and with key anthropometric and biochemical parameters in diabetic patients, suggesting its validity in assessing whole-body arterial stiffness in subjects with peripheral arterial diseases within 10 min.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-Tsai
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Po-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: An-Bang
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zong-Li
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ruay-Ming
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ching-Pin
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chieh-Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Cheuk-Kwan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness / Q000295:instrumentation; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D059289:Vascular Stiffness