Estimation of arterial pulse wave velocity with a new improved tissue Doppler method

The mechanical properties of the large arteries are important determinants in the circulation physiology. Quantities associated with vessel wall elasticity are of particular interest since they offer a possibility to separate diseased arteries from healthy. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a local measure of the arterial wall elasticity. This paper describes a new improved method for non-invasive local PWV estimation. The PWV estimation is based on arterial wall movements, which is detected by Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI), a color Doppler optimized for low velocities. The TDI facility allows the artery to be measured at several positions simultaneously, which improves the PWV estimation considerably. The method is validated with respect to operator repeatability and operator reproducibility in a limited clinical study.