| SphygmoCor® Vx Central Blood Pressure/Pulse Wave Velocity System is an add-on package to the Px System. The Vx system enables the measurement of the velocity of the pressure wave along a specific arterial segment. The velocity of the pressure wave along the artery is dependent upon the stiffness of the artery. This system is most commonly used to measure the aortic pulse wave velocity, by taking a reading at the carotid artery and the femoral artery. Aortic pulse wave velocity typically doubles between the ages of 30 and 60. Pulse Wave Velocity
Arterial stiffness is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Increases in arterial stiffness increase central systolic & pulse pressure, and demand on the left ventricle, and decrease the perfusion pressure through the coronary arteries, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.
Pulse wave velocity is a well-established technique for obtaining a measure of arterial stiffness between two locations in the arterial tree. The velocity of the pulse wave along an artery is dependent on the stiffness of that artery.
Most commonly, pulse wave velocity is measured between the carotid and femoral peripheral artery sites in order to provide a measure of aortic stiffness. This aortic pulse wave velocity increases rapidly with age, typically doubling between the ages of 30 and 60.
The SphygmoCor® Vx Central Blood Pressure/Pulse Wave Velocity System is sold as an add-on to Px System, and measures the velocity of the blood pressure waveform between any two superficial artery sites. It uses a single-lead ECG and then a tonometer to measure the pressure pulse waveform sequentially in the two peripheral artery sites (eg. carotid & femoral). When used in conjunction with the SphygmoCor Px System, the system provides a comprehensive assessment of the clinical significance of the arterial stiffness measured.
Read more about the benefits of central blood pressure assessment:
"Central Pressure: Variability and Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors. The Anglo-Cardiff Collaborative Trial”
- Over 70% of patients with high normal blood pressure at risk
- Central pressure cannot be reliably inferred from brachial pressure
Read more in the journal Hypertension
"Central Pressure More Strongly Relates to Vascular Disease and Outcome Than Does Brachial Pressure. The Strong Heart Study”
- Noninvasively-determined central pulse pressure is more strongly related to vascular hypertrophy, extent of atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular events than is brachial blood pressure
Read more about the outcomes of the Strong Heart Study in the journal Hypertension.
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