Comparison of the SphygmoCor XCEL device with applanation tonometry for pulse wave velocity and central blood pressure assessment in youth

BACKGROUND Vascular phenotype by assessing carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and central SBP (cSP) in the young could be used as an intermediate cardiovascular outcome measure. Tonometry is considered the gold-standard technique, but its use is challenging in clinical practice, especially when used in children. The purpose of this study was to validate cf-PWV and cSP assessment with novel oscillometric device (SphygmoCor XCEL) in children and adolescents. METHODS cf-PWV and cSP were measured in 72 children and adolescents aged 6-20 years. Measurements were performed by applanation tonometry and by the SphygmoCor XCEL device at the same visit under standardized conditions. Regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots were used for comparison of the tonometer-based with oscillometric-based method. RESULTS Mean cf-PWV measured by applanation tonometry was 4.85 ± 0.81 m/s and measured by SpygmoCor XCEL was 4.75 ± 0.81 m/s. The mean difference between the two devices was 0.09 ± 0.47 m/s (P = NS). cSP measured by SpygmoCor XCEL was strongly correlated with cSP measured by applanation tonometry (R = 0.87, P