title: Non-invasive assessment of carotid PWV via accelerometric sensors: validation of a new device and comparison with established techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy, nicole.dilascio@ifc.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Lascio
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stea
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gemignani
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ghiadoni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faita
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D055815:Young Adult
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