In the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, various pulse wave parameters such as augmentation index in pulse wave measurement, baPWV, ABI, and CAVI are likely to be used more generally in the clinical setting. A critical point in pulse wave measurement is represented by accuracy. Determining the rising point of pulse waves, in particular, has considerable importance in ensuring diagnostic accuracy. Various methodologies for determining the rising point of pulse waves have been proposed. To compare each method, 1902 cases of measurement carried out in the clinical setting were reviewed. The pulse wave rising point was determined using the bottom method, the 1/10 method, the first derivative method, the second derivative method, the single tangent method, the intersecting tangents method, the McDonald method, and the amplitude adaptive tangent method. Detailed examination showed that the standard deviation was the smallest when the amplitude adaptive tangent method was used. Since the clinical setting does not always provide an ideal environment that allows accurate analytical measurement, it is critical to obtain stable measurement results. This research confirmed that the amplitude adaptive tangent method could be used to obtain measurement results exhibiting an accurate pulse wave rising point. In view of the possibility that future preventive medicine practices will expand into various facilities other than hospitals, as suggested by the efforts being made to fight metabolic syndrome, clinical research backed by practical footing will become increasingly important.

Department of Medical Engineering and Cardiology Institute of Development Aging and Cancer Tohoku University Tohoku

Lit.: 32