Capabilities of photoplethysmography as a method for screening of cardiovascular system pathology

Abstract

Currently, vegetative dysfunction considered to be one of principal mechanisms in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular pathology, which causes a cascade of events leading to changes in the properties and a structure of vascular wall. This review article contains literature from various databases (Russian science citation index, PubMed, Google Shcolar, Scopus). It presents the methods for assessing vegetative imbalance. In particular, the method of photoplethysmography (PPGV) is considered for recording periodic fluctuations at various frequencies in the distal vascular bed which characterize physiological processes (cardiac activity, respiratory influences, neurogenic, myogenic and endothelial activity). In addition, other diagnostic capabilities of PPGV such as heart rate (HR) assessment, determining the properties of vascular wall and the level of blood saturation are elucidated. This paper demonstrates a wide range of PPGV applications. The simplicity of PPGV reproduction and its cost-effectiveness make it feasible both in routine clinical practice for the purposes of screening for cardiovascular pathology, and for individual health monitoring incorporated in smart devices.