Pulse sharpness as a quantitative index of vascular aging

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a robust algorithm to quantify pulse sharpness that can complement the limitations of radial augmentation index (rAIx) and explore the role of this quantitative sharpness index in reflecting vascular aging or arterial stiffness. The pulse sharpness index (PSI) was developed by combining the end point angle and virtual height, and 528 radial pulses were analyzed. The PSI could be uniformly applied to various waveform morphologies, even those with no or vague tidal waves, unlike the rAIx. Significant sex differences were identified in the rAIx and PSI (P < 0.01 for both), and significant age-dependent decreases in the PSI were observed (P < 0.01). In addition, the PSI and age were correlated (r = − 0.550) at least as strong as the rAIx and age (r = 0.532), and the PSI had a significant negative correlation with arterial stiffness (r = − 0.700). Furthermore, the multiple linear regression model for arterial stiffness using the PSI, age, sex and heart rate showed the excellent performance (cross-validated R2 = 0.701), and the PSI was found to have the greatest influence on arterial stiffness. This study confirmed that the PSI could be a quantitative index of vascular aging and has potential for use in inferring arterial stiffness with an advantage over the rAIx.