Measurement of pulse wave velocity during valsalva and mueller maneuvers by whole body impedance monitor

Elevated arterial stiffness is a marker of vascular aging and is connected with increased mortality. Noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness is based on the measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV), where PWV correlates with arterial stiffness. PWV depends on blood pressure and other physiological conditions. The aim of our study was to measure and analyze the effect of changes in airway pressure to PWVs between the chest and limbs. Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers and spontaneous breathing were used. We measured 30 healthy, non-smoking subjects aged between 21 and 35 years. Simultaneous measurements of whole body impedance, blood pressure and ECG were taken in a supine position. The relative changes in PWV values (mean ± standard deviation) during the Valsalva maneuver were: 0.82 ± 0.11 (thigh); 0.87 ± 0.10 (calf); 0.64 ± 0.19 (arm); O. 75 ± 0.16 (forearm); during the Mueller maneuver they were: 0.92 ± 0.11 (thigh); 0.91±0.09 (calf); 0.76±0.19 (arm); 0.81±0.14 (forearm). PWVs were lower during maneuvers than during spontaneous breathing. Changes in PWV during breathing maneuvers were more reflected nearer to the chest. Our results show PWV reference values between various parts of the human body during changes in airway pressure demonstrated by the Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers.