ABSTRACT
Pulse arrival time is the time elapsed between the R-wave of electrocardiogram and systolic peak in peripheral pulse obtained by any of the plethysmographic methods. Similarly, differential pulse arrival time, also known as pulse transit time, is the time elapsed between systolic peaks of proximal and distal peripheral pulse recordings in an extremity. Distance between the proximal and distal site in the extremity (in meters) divided by differential pulse arrival time (in seconds) gives arterial pulse wave velocity in the limb segment. Differential pulse arrival time has been used to discriminate between an aortic or arterial block from generalized atherosclerosis in aortic and arterial occlusive diseases for nearly four decades. All along there have been efforts to monitor beat-to-beat blood pressure with the help of these time intervals and other pulse parameters. Encouraging correlation has been observed with that obtained by Finapres. Recently pulse arrival time has been explored for the prompt detection of sudden hypertensive episodes during laryngeal microsurgery, for detection of mental stress, monitoring of baroreflex sensitivity, and real-time monitoring of blood pressure. This paper briefly describes the measurement technique of pulse arrival time and an overview of its clinical applications.
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the change of the vascular compliance after cast immobilization with measuring the Peripheral pulse arrival time (PPAT). ECG and peripheral pulse signals were measured in normal man and patients subjected to cast immobilization. PPATs were calculated by analysis program with time interval between QRS peak of ECG and maximum slope of pulse wave. PPAT measured from immobilized lower limb was decreased than that of healthy lower limb. The changes of PPAT by posture and exercise decreased in cast immobilized limb than those of healthy limb. These results showed that vascular compliance of the immobilized leg is decreased than that of healthy leg. Also the PPAT measurement used in this study will be a useful method for the monitoring of functional changes of vessels in the cast immobilized leg in human.