Pulse Wave Velocity and Vessels State
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Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness, or the rate at which pressure waves move down the vessel. As blood flows through the vessels of the circulatory system, it moves out of the left ventricle and into the aorta where it is then pushed through the rest of the circulatory system. During systole, the contraction of the left ventricle and the ejection of blood into the ascending aorta acutely dilates the aortic wall and generates a pressure wave that moves along the arterial tree. The velocity of this movement gives a measurement of arterial compliance. With age, or due to changes in the arterial wall, these vessels become stiffer and the speed at which the pressure wave moves through the system is increased. PWV can be collected by using two pulse sensors placed a known distance from one another, referred to as the Pulse Wave Distance. The time it takes the pressure wave to go from the upstream pulse sensor 2 to the downstream pulse sensor 1 provides the Pulse Transit Time (PTT). PWV can then be calculated by dividing the distance by the transit time providing a measure of cardiovascular health. |
 | Two pulse sensors are used to measure the pulse wave velocity.
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Some screenshots of the software module are presented below:
Pulse wave velocity module.
