Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), wave reflection, measured as central augmentation index (AIx) and central (aortic) blood pressure (cSBP) are independent predictors for total and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The «BPLAB VASOTENS» is a new cuff-based, operator-independent device which obtains brachial BP waveforms derives (and saved in memory during 24-h) cSBP, AIx and PWV using brachial-to-aortic transfer function.

Aim: Compare «BPLAB VASOTENS» to standard techniques for measuring cSBP, AIx and PWV (SphygmoCor) in normotensive and hypertensive subjects.

Methods: 75 subjects (53 ± 12 years, 42% males) without cardiovascular

diseases and with arterial hypertension were studied after 10 minutes of supine rest. Brachial pressure waveforms calibrated to brachial systolic and diastolic pressure were recorded using the «BPLAB VASOTENS» and radial pressure waveforms calibrated to brachial mean and diastolic pressure were recorded using the SphygmoCor. The corresponding cSBP, AIx, PWV measurements were compared between devices (cSBPbp vs cSBPshyg, Aixbp vs AIxshyg, PWVbp vs PWVshyg).

Results: There was good agreement between cSBPbp (123 ± 19mmHg) and cSBPshyg

(120± 18mmHg; p<0.01, r=0.92, p<0.01). Moderate results were observed for AIx – 27± 6 vs 27 ± 11 (p=0.8, r= 0.64, p<0.01) and for PWV – 7.7± 0.6 m/s vs 7.9± 1.9 m/s, p=0.5, r= 0.45, p<0.01).

Conclusions: the values of cSBP, but not Aix and PWV provided by the «BPLAB VASOTENS» and SphygmoCor devices show good agreement. Further comparative data are required in a larger sample size, and with invasive BP measurements.