0281: A novel device for measuring arterial stiffness using the finger-toe pulse wave velocity: validation study of the pOpmètre®

Abstract

Finger-toe pathway could represent a good alternative to assess the arterial stiffness conveniently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the pOpmètre (Axelife sas – France) a new device that measures finger-toe pulse wave velocity (ft-PWV). The pOpmètre® has 2 photodiodes sensors, positioned on the finger and on the toe. The difference (Dtf) between the foot of the toe pulse wave and that of the finger is measured for 20s.The travelled distance is estimated on subject's height. Study 1 compared the ft-PWV to the carotid-femoral PWV (cf-PWV) obtained by the reference method SphygmoCor® in 86 subjects (53±20 yrs), including 69 patients with various pathologies and 17 healthy normotensives. Study 2 compared the changes of ft-PWV and cf-PWV during a cold pressure test in 10 healthy subjects. Study 3 assessed repeatability in 45 patients. ft-PWV correlated significantly with cf-PWV (r 2 = 0.43, p<0.0001). A better correlation was found in terms of transit time (r 2 = 0.61, p<0.0001). The discrepancy between the transit times was related to age. Cold pressure test induced parallel changes in cf-PWV and ft-PWV, with increased aortic stiffness reversible during recovery. The intra-session repeatability was very good with a coefficient of variation of 4.52%. pOpmètre® allows measurement of arterial stiffness in routine clinical practice. The greatest advantages of ft-PWV are easiness, rapidity, feasibility and acceptability by patients, together with correct agreement with reference technique. Further studies are needed to adjust for bias and for validating the pOpmètre in larger populations.