Non‐invasive vascular function measurement tools: the correlation between arterial distensibility and venous compliance in young males (546.8)

Abstract

Reliable non‐invasive tools for the determination of arterial and venous health permit repeated assessments in intervention studies. While arterial health is commonly estimated using tonometry and venous function estimated using venous plethysmography, no studies have reported on the relation of these measures of vascular function. We assessed the reproducibility (ICC) and correlation (Pearson r) of Augmentation Index (AIx) and Venous Compliance (dV/dP) in a sample (n=8) of healthy (SBP/DBP: 107.1±7.4 / 70.0±5.5mmHg), young (Age: 25.5±3.7 years), physically active (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity: 6.6±0.5) men. All participants completed an initial familiarization session, followed by two experimental sessions where both arterial Augmentation Index and Venous Compliance were measured. AIx values were accepted only if the operator index > 90%. Participants had good but varied arterial health (AIx = ‐1.9±11.0; range ‐18 to 17) and venous health (.03±.00; range .02 to .05). Reliability between days for AIx was high (Cronbach’s α= .97) while dV/dP scores at 20mmHg were less reliable (Cronbach’s α =.46). There was no correlation between intra‐individual same day AIx and dV/dP variables (r = ‐.31, p >0.05). Based on these results, studies of vascular function should consider the arterial health measurement of Augmentation Index and the venous function measurement of Venous Compliance as independent variables.Grant Funding Source: Supported by CIHR CGS Doctoral Research Award