Reference values for the arterial pulse wave in Chinese

BACKGROUND Pulse wave analysis using the SphygmoCor system allows the estimation of central pulse pressure (PP) and peripheral and central augmentation indexes (Alxs). We studied the limits of normality of these measurements in Chinese. METHODS We computed limits of normality as the 95% confidence boundaries from regression models relating the arterial indexes to age. RESULTS The reference population included 924 subjects (50.7% men, mean age 40.7 years) without overt cardiovascular disease. Men, compared to women, had higher peripheral (43.3 vs. 41.7 mm Hg; P = 0.01) and central (32.9 vs. 30.9 mm Hg; P < 0.0001) PPs, but lower peripheral (69.0 vs. 74.2%; P < 0.0001) and central (16.6 vs. 21.0%; P < 0.0001) Alxs. All arterial measurements showed a curvilinear relation with age. Both before and after adjustment for confounding factors, peripheral and central PPs increased less (P <= 0.01) with age in men than in women, whereas the relation of peripheral and central Alxs with age was similar (P >= 0.13) in both sexes. In 40-year-old Chinese, approximate thresholds for peripheral and central PPs, peripheral and central Alxs were 58 mm Hg, 48 mm Hg, 105% and 45%, respectively. Considering the age range from 20 to 60 years, thresholds varied within similar to 5 mm Hg, similar to 10 mm Hg, similar to 20%, and similar to 15% of the aforementioned thresholds for peripheral and central PPs, peripheral and central Alxs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Pending further validation in prospective studies, our present study provides preliminary diagnostic thresholds for PP and Alxs in Chinese.