Arterial pulse wave velocity and left ventricular tension period in cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract

Peripheral pulse wave velocity, measured by a non-invasive photoplethysmographic technique, was constant and independent of variations in cardiac cycle length and, therefore, of arterial diastolic pressure in seven out of eight cases of atrial fibrillation and in four cases with ventricular premature beats. It seems, therefore, that the blood pressure itself is not an important factor in the regulation of pulse wave velocity. Left ventricular tension period, estimated indirectly by the same technique, was inversely related to the preceding cycle length. Premature beats of atrial and ventricular origin had longer left ventricular tension periods than sinus beats.