Characterisation of the aortic pulse profile of a radial artery applanation tonometry device in patients with aortic stenosis

Abstract

Background Aortic stenosis (AS) is commonly associated with myocardial and systemic arterial dysfunction. We use a radial artery applanation tonometry (B-Pro) device to characterise the arterial pulse profile of patients with AS and compare them against controls. Methods The B-Pro device was applied on the left radial artery of 117 consecutive patients, where 21 patients had AS. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were compared. Differences in arterial pulse pressure profile were quantified by means of univariate and multivariable analyses. Results The group with AS was older (74±14 vs 62±14 years, P<0.001) and had fewer males (38% vs 65%, P=0.025), while other baseline comorbidities were similar. From the arterial pulse profile, a higher systolic peak time (202±45 vs 152±49 ms, P<0.001), lower systolic upstroke gradient (0.35±0.10 vs 0.42±0.14 mm Hg/ms, P=0.022) and longer systolic component of the cardiac cycle (43%±7% vs 39%±5%, P=0.001) were independently associated with AS. Conclusion The B-Pro device allows for real-time microscopic arterial pulse waveform analysis. There are significant differences between the pulse profiles of patients with AS and controls. The prognostic implications of these differences warrant further study.