Stiffness Analysis: Point-Based Analysis Of Pulse Waves

Pulse Wave Analysis There are two ways for pulse waves to be analyzed. The first is called point based analysis. Point based analysis is designed for risk certain risk factors. It picks up top and bottom points from different components of the waveform. Then the calculation is done regarding to the medical significant of those points. Stiffness Index is a well-known factor in this category. Arterial stiffness is an indicator of increased cardiovascular disease risk. There are many methods used to detect arterial stiffness but pulse wave monitoring is a rapidly developing one. Pulse wave analysis has been utilized to detect many aspects of heart disease especially the ones involving arterial stiffness. Total arterial compliance and increased
Pulse Wave Velocity is the velocity of the pulse pressure. The blood has speed of several meters per second at the aorta and slow down to several mm per second at peripheral network. Normal Pulse Wave Velocity has the range from 5 meter per second to 15 meters per second. Digital Volume Pulse may be obtained simply by measuring the blood volume of the finger, which becomes a potentially attractive waveform to analyze. The Stiffness Index was derived from the pulse wave analysis for artery stiffness assessment and was correlated with Pulse Wave Velocity which is an effective method for assessing artery stiffness non-invasively. Pulse Wave Velocity is the number one standard for arterial stiffness diagnosis. The Stiffness Index has an equivalent output as the Pulse Wave Velocity. It uses the reflection of the pulse as the second source to get the time difference without additional sensors which make it more applicable to the Home Monitoring System. The systolic top shows the time that the pulse reaches the finger. The diastolic top represents the time that the pulse reflection reaches the fingers. The distance that the pulse goes through has a direct relationship with the height of the subject. The