title: Digital image correlation for full-field time-resolved assessment of arterial stiffness.
abstract: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the arterial system is a very important parameter to evaluate cardiovascular health. Currently, however, there is no golden standard for PWV measurement. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for full-field time-resolved assessment of displacement, velocity, acceleration, and strains of the skin in the neck directly above the common carotid artery. By assessing these parameters, propagation of the pulse wave could be tracked, leading to a new method for PWV detection based on DIC. The method was tested on five healthy subjects. As a means of validation, PWV was measured with ultrasound (US) as well. Measured PWV values were between 3.68 and 5.19  m/s as measured with DIC and between 5.14 and 6.58  m/s as measured with US, with a maximum absolute difference of 2.78  m/s between the two methods. DIC measurements of the neck region can serve as a test base for determining a robust strategy for PWV detection, they can serve as reference for three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction models, or they may even evolve into a screening method of their own. Moreover, full-field, time-resolved DIC can be adapted for other applications in biomechanics.
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Bimef, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Adriaan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Bimef, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soons
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Cardiology, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heuten
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Cardiology, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ennekens
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Cardiology, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goovaerts
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Cardiology, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christiaan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vrints
authors.affiliation: KaHo-St.Lieven, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Gebroeders De Smetstraat 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lava
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Bimef, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dirckx
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D001331:Automation; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002138:Calibration; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008027:Light; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009068:Movement; D011312:Pressure; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013499:Surface Properties; D014463:Ultrasonography; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials