Typical Waveforms - CareFusion PulseTrace PCA2 Manual Operativo

Typical waveforms

As explained in the theory of operation (page 24), the contour of the
digital volume pulse (DVP) is determined by arterial stiffness and
vascular tone. The main determinants of arterial stiffness are age
and blood pressure. The following section presents some typical
waveforms and their interpretation. It should, however be noted that
due to the complexity of the interaction between direct and reflected
waves, other waveforms and interpretation are possible.
'
The most common waveform in a young
'
healthy subject has two distinct peaks
corresponding to the systolic peak (direct
wave) and diastolic peak (reflected wave).
In some subjects, particularly women,
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summation of the direct wave and the
reflected wave forms "an extra bump" (a
'
late systolic peak) between the systolic
and diastolic peak.
In this case, reflection index (RI), peak to
peak time (PPT) and stiffness index (SI)
are calculated from the systolic peak to the last peak/inflection point
of the waveform as shown by the markers on the adjacent graph.
If the markers are not in this position, the measurement should be
rejected and repeated.
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