Relationship between Renying pulse augmentation index and Cunkou pulse condition in different blood pressure groups

Objective

To explore the relationship between Renying pulse (carotid) augmentation index (AI) and Cunkou pulse condition in different blood pressure groups, and the clinical significance of Renying and Cunkou pulse parameters to reflect vascular function.

Methods

Eighty-six patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 52 individuals with normal blood pressure (control group) between September 2010 and January 2012 were included in this study. Renying pulse AI was examined by a new diagnostic tool (ALOKA ProSound Alpha 10) — wave intensity (WI) that is calculated as the product of the derivatives of the simultaneously recorded blood pressure changes (dP/dt) and blood-flow-velocity changes (dU/dt), while Cunkou pulse condition was detected by DDMX-100 Pulse Apparatus in both EH and control groups. A multifactorial correlation analysis was performed for data analysis.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounding variables, in the EH group, AI was positively correlated with t₅, w_2/t (r_t5=0.225, P<0.05; r_w2/t=0.230, P< 0.05) and negatively correlated with h₅, h₅/h₁ and w₂ (r_h5= − 0.393, P<0.01; r_h5/h1= − 0.444, P<0.01; r_w2= − 0.389, P<0.01). In the control group, AI was positively correlated with t₃, t₄, t₅ and w₁ (r_t3=0.595, P<0.01; r_t4= 0.292, P<0.05; r_t5=0.318, P<0.05; r_w1=0.541, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with h₁, h₂, h₃, Ad and A (r_h1= − 0.368, P<0.05; r_h2= − 0.330, P<0.05; r_h3= − 0.327, P< 0.05; r_Ad= − 0.322, P<0.05; r_A= − 0.410, P<0.01). In the total sample group (EH plus control group, n= 138), AI was positively correlated with t, t₅, w₁ and w_2/t (r_t=0.257, P<0.01; r_t5=0.266, P<0.01; r_w1=0.184, P< 0.05; r_w2/t=0.210, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with h₅, h₅/h₁, w₂ and Ad (r_h5= − 0.230, P<0.01; r_h5/h1= − 0.218, P<0.05; r_w2= − 0.267, P<0.01; r_Ad= - 0.246, P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to model the relationship (F=7.887, P< 0.001).

Conclusion

Renying pulse AI can effectively predict arterial stiffness in synchrony with the manifestations of Cunkou pulse in elderly patients with hypertension. Cunkou pulse apparatus is a valuable tool for evaluating AI in clinical practice. The close correlations reported above reflect the holistic concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine.