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Validity and reliability of aortic pulse wave velocity and augmentation index determined by the new cuff-based SphygmoCor Xcel

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 28, pages 475–481 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are commonly used measures of large elastic artery stiffness and wave reflection, respectively. Recently, a new cuff-based SphygmoCor device (Xcel) has been developed to measure both AoPWV and AIx. We sought to examine the following: (1) the validity of Xcel compared with the well-validated tonometry-based SphygmoCor device (MM3); (2) the intratest and day-to-day reliability of Xcel; (3) the influence of body side (right or left) on Xcel measurements; and (4) the relation of Xcel measurements to carotid artery compliance, distensibility and β-stiffness index. We found that measurements of AoPWV and AIx between Xcel and MM3 were not different (P=0.26 and P=0.43, N=22 and 26, respectively) and were strongly related (r=0.85 and 0.75, P<0.0001), and based on Bland–Altman plots there was good agreement between them. Intra-test (intraclass correlation=0.996 and 0.983, P<0.0001; AoPWV and AIx, N=24 and 26, respectively) and day-to-day reliability (intraclass correlation=0.979 and 0.939, P<0.0001) were high. Xcel AoPWV and AIx on the left versus right body side were not different (P=0.19 and P=0.58, N=14 and 15, respectively) and were highly correlated (r=0.99 and 0.94, P<0.0001). AoPWV and AIx measured with Xcel were positively related with β-stiffness index (r=0.62 and 0.51, P⩽0.005, N=23 and 24, respectively) and negatively related with distensibility (r=−0.58 and −0.44, P⩽0.02, N=23 and 24, respectively). In conclusion, Xcel measures of AIx and AoPWV are valid, highly reliable and not affected by body side. Xcel is a useful tool for use in research and the clinic.

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Acknowledgements

We thank AtCor Medical for kindly providing the SphygmoCor Xcel device for the duration of the study. We also thank the study participants for their time and efforts.

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  1. Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    M-H Hwang, J-K Yoo, H-K Kim, C-L Hwang, K Mackay, O Hemstreet & D D Christou

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    W W Nichols

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Correspondence to D D Christou.

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Dr Nichols has previously served as a consultant for AtCor Medical. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Hwang, MH., Yoo, JK., Kim, HK. et al. Validity and reliability of aortic pulse wave velocity and augmentation index determined by the new cuff-based SphygmoCor Xcel. J Hum Hypertens 28, 475–481 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2013.144

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