Evaluation of arterial compliance on pulse transit time using photoplethysmography

Abstract

Pulse wave velocity has been widely used as an index of arterial distensibility. Peripheral pulse transit time (PTT) is inversely related to pulse wave velocity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of PTT on the monitoring of arterial distensibility. We evaluated the accuracy of computerized measurement of peripheral PTT using an algorithm based on the time interval between the peak of R wave of ECG and maximal slope point in pulse. A experimental results were presented as a graph using spline interpolation. Application software was implemented in C++ as a window-based program. The increase of heart rate and pulse transit time reflect the hemodynamics changes by skin temperature. It is of great interest to evaluate in large populations the therapeutic and epidemiological applications of an arterial parameter as evaluated by peripheral PTT.