Pulse wave velocity

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness. It is easy to measure invasively and non-invasively in humans, is highly reproducible, has a strong correlation with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, and was recognized by the European Society of Hypertension as integral to the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. A high pulse wave velocity (PWV) has also been associated with poor lung function.

Relationship between arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity

The study of the basic scientific principles of the velocity of the pulse wave through the arterial tree dates back to 1808 with the work of Thomas Young. The relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and arterial wall stiffness can be calculated from first principles from Newton's second law of motion;

$F=ma$

Using some simplifying assumptions, the Moens–Korteweg equation can be derived, an equation that directly relates PWV and artery wall stiffness.

$\mathrm{PWV} = \sqrt{\dfrac{E_\mathrm{inc} \cdot h}{2r\rho}}$

The Moens-Korteweg equation states that PWV is proportional to the square root of the incremental elastic modulus of the vessel wall given constant ratio of wall thickness $h$ to vessel radius $r$ under the assumptions used to derive the equation, these assumptions being:

1. there is no, or insignificant, change in vessel area.
2. there is no, or insignificant, change in wall thickness.
3. that $\operatorname{d}\!v(\operatorname{d}\!r^{-1})\operatorname{d}\!x\cdot \operatorname{d}\!t$ is small to the point of insignificance.

Dependence of pulse wave velocity on blood pressure

Pulse wave velocity intrinsically varies with blood pressure. This can be clearly seen from the Bramwell-Hill equation (see below), linking PWV to compliance ($\operatorname{d}\!V/\operatorname{d}\!P$), blood mass density and (diastolic) volume ($V$). PWV increases with pressure for two reasons:

1. Arterial compliance ($\operatorname{d}\!V/\operatorname{d}\!P$) decreases with increasing pressure due to the curvilinear relationship between arterial pressure and volume.
2. Volume ($V$) increases with increasing pressure (the artery dilates), directly increasing PWV.

Current guidelines by the European Society of Hypertension state that a measured PWV larger than 10 m/s can be considered an independent marker of end-organ damage. However, the use of a fixed PWV threshold value could be debated, as PWV is markedly dependent on blood pressure at a rate of approximately 1 m/s per 10 mmHg.

Measuring pulse wave velocity

Using the velocity of the forward traveling wave

PWV, by definition, is the distance traveled ($\Delta x$) by the wave divided by the time ($\Delta t$) for the wave to travel that distance:

$\mathrm{PWV} = \dfrac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$

This holds true for a system with zero wave reflections. The transmission of the arterial pressure pulse does not give the true PWV as it is a sum of vectors of the incident and reflected waves. Therefore, appropriate pressure and flow measurements must be made to estimate the characteristic impedance and to calculate the incident, or the reflected pressure wave at two separate locations a known distance apart (although there might become conceptual problems with the term “wave reflection” in the arterial system).

Using two simultaneously measured pressure waves

An alternate method of measuring PWV utilizes the feature of the arterial waveform that during late diastole and early systole, there is no, or minimal, interference of the incident pressure wave by the reflected pressure wave. With this assumption, PWV can be measured between two sites a known distance apart using the pressure `foot' of the waveform to calculate the transit time. Exactly locating the pressure waveform foot can be subjective and less than accurate. The advantage of foot-to-foot PWV measurement is the simplicity of measurement, requiring only two pressure wave forms recorded with invasive catheters, or mechanical tonometers or pulse detection devices applied non-invasively to the pulse across the skin, where the site of the two measurements are a known distance apart.

Using pressure and flow

Bramwell & Hill cited the Moens-Kortweg equation and proposed a series of substitutions relevant to observable haemodynamic measures. Quoting directly, these substitutions were:

"A small rise $\delta P$ in pressure may be shown to cause a small increase, $\delta y=y^2\delta P/(Ec)$, in the radius $y$ of the artery, or a small increase, $\delta V=2\pi y^{3}\delta P / (Ec)$, in its own volume $V$ per unit length. Hence $2y/Ec=\operatorname{d}\!V/(V\operatorname{d}\!P)$"

where $c$ represents the wall thickness (usually defined as $h$) and $y$ the vessel radius (usually defined as $r$). Substituting these observations into the Moens-Korteweg equation gives the Bramwell-Hill equation with wave speed in terms of $\operatorname{d}\!V/(V \operatorname{d}\!P)$. This provides an alternate method of measuring PWV, where pressure can be measured, and flow and arterial dimension measured through techniques such as A or M-mode ultrasound or Doppler measurement of flow.

$\mathrm{PWV} = \sqrt{\dfrac{\operatorname{d}\!P \cdot V}{\rho \cdot \operatorname{d}\!V}}$

A similarity between the Moens-Kortweg equation and Newton's equation for the wave speed in a material is evident and both the Moens-Kortweg and Bramwell-Hill equations can be derived from Newton's equation for wave speed using the substitution of the equation of the bulk modulus in terms of volumetric strain.

Using characteristic impedance

The Waterhammer equation gives another alternate expression of PWV. The equation directly relates characteristic impedance ($Z_\mathrm{c}$) to PWV through the ratio of pressure ($P$) and linear flow velocity ($v$) in the absence of wave reflection. Subsequently, an estimate of characteristic impedance through pressure and flow measurement provides a measure of PWV, which is proportional to arterial stiffness.

$\mathrm{PWV} = P_\mathrm{i} / \left( v_\mathrm{i} \cdot \rho \right)= Z_\mathrm{c} / \rho$

Nomenclature

• $\rho$ density (of blood)
• $h$ vessel wall thickness
• $E_\mathrm{inc}$ incremental modulus of stiffness
• $P$ arterial blood pressure
• $PWV$pulse wave velocity
• $r$ vessel radius
• $t$ time
• $V$ blood volume
• $v$ velocity
• $Z_\mathrm{c}$ characteristic impedance

See also

• Arterial stiffness
• Compliance (physiology)