Repeatability of Peripheral Artery Tonometry in Female Subjects

Andrew J Degnan,Markus P Schneider,David M Carty,Nandini Shah,Christian Delles,John R Petrie

doi:10.1155/2013/383624

Andrew J Degnan, Markus P Schneider + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/383624

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Abstract

Background.Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is a novel, non-invasive and operator-independent method for simultaneous assessment of endothelial function and arterial stiffness. We examined the repeatability of PAT in females and the influence of the estrous cycle.Methods.In 14 healthy female and five healthy male control subjects, PAT was performed on three separate occasions with 10 days between visits. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI), a measure of endothelial function, and peripheral augmentation index (AIx), a measure of arterial stiffness, were determined with the EndoPAT-2000 system. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as a measure of repeatability.Results.In both female and male groups, RHI and AIx did not differ between the three measurements (all n.s. by 1-way ANOVA). In females, reanalyzing the data after taking phase of estrous cycle into account had no effect on the results. Repeatability for RHI and AIx in females (ICC for RHI = 0.43, ICC for AIx = 0.78) was similar to that in male subjects (ICC for RHI = 0.42, ICC for AIx = 0.63).Conclusions.PAT measurements were not affected by the estrous cycle in females, and repeatability was comparable to that in males. This should facilitate inclusion of female subjects into vascular function studies using PAT.

Highlights

Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is a novel, non-invasive and operator-independent method for simultaneous assessment of endothelial function and arterial stiffness
The main results of this study were that Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and augmentation index (AIx) measurements by PAT are not significantly affected by phase of estrous cycle in females, and repeatability was comparable to that in males
Measurements in females do not need to take into account phase of the estrous cycle, which is an important aspect of practicability for the clinical setting, and which should facilitate the inclusion of females into studies on vascular function by PAT

Summary

Introduction

Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is a novel, non-invasive and operator-independent method for simultaneous assessment of endothelial function and arterial stiffness. We examined the repeatability of PAT in females and the influence of the estrous cycle. In both female and male groups, RHI and AIx did not differ between the three measurements (all n.s. by 1-way ANOVA). PAT measurements were not affected by the estrous cycle in females, and repeatability was comparable to that in males. This should facilitate inclusion of female subjects into vascular function studies using PAT. Of potential interest for clinical decision making, impaired endothelial function is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular (CV) events [5,6,7]. The prognostic value of endothelial function testing has been recognized, guidelines do not currently recommend testing routinely, as current methods are invasive, laborious, and/or time consuming [11]

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