A Heart Rate Step Function Response Method for the Evaluation of Pulse Wave Velocity as a Predictor of Major Adverse Cardio-Vascular Events
Ioana Marin,
Florina Georgeta Popescu,
Elena-Ana Pauncu,
Adrian Apostol,
Viviana Mihaela Ivan,
Catalin Nicolae Marin,
Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu,
Sorin Ursoniu
Affiliations
Ioana Marin
Discipline of Occupational Medicine, Department V—Internal Medicine I, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Florina Georgeta Popescu
Discipline of Occupational Medicine, Department V—Internal Medicine I, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Elena-Ana Pauncu
Discipline of Occupational Medicine, Department V—Internal Medicine I, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Adrian Apostol
Discipline of Cardiology, Department VII—Internal Medicine II, Centre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Viviana Mihaela Ivan
Discipline of Cardiology, Department VII—Internal Medicine II, Centre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Catalin Nicolae Marin
Faculty of Physics, West University of Timisoara, V. Parvan Ave., No. 4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu
Discipline of Pulmonology, Department XIII—Infectious Diseases, Centre for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ghe. Adam, No. 13, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
Sorin Ursoniu
Discipline of Public Health, Department of Functional Sciences, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) is considered a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events. The study intended to be helpful in finding methods for the preliminary assessment of PWV in primary care units. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 36 subjects (considered healthy by their own statement) from the medical field (medicine students and residents) aged between 20 and 30 years: 33.3% males and 66.7% females. Two types of measurements were carried out successively: (a) measurements with the arteriograph and (b) measurements on a treadmill effort testing system, where heart rate (HR) was measured over time as a response to step function physical effort (PE). Results: The study allowed for the highlighting of some limits which, if exceeded, can be associated with high PWV values: (i) if after a moderate PE and a resting time of at least 6 min, the HR is larger than 80 b/min; (ii) if the relaxation time in a PE test of moderate intensity is larger than 1 min; (iii) if the HR measured after the subject is raised from the supine to orthostatic position is larger than 100 b/min, and (iv) if the resting HR is larger than 80 b/min. Conclusions: Steady-state HR correlates with PWV and may be used for the preliminary assessment of PWV.
