The effect of cuff occlusion on the pulse wave transit time from the heart to the cuff

Background: Pulse wave transit time (PWTT) is widely used to characterize the dynamic properties of the arteries. PWTT is most often calculated as the time interval from the R peak in the electrocardiogram (start of the pulse wave) to the rise in the finger photoplethysmogram (arrival of the pulse wave). This is the PWTTHF. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of cuff occlusion on PWTT, and using this information to improve the reliability of cuff-based indirect blood pressure (BP) measurement. Methods: PWTT was measured with a home health monitoring device that inflates and deflates the cuff slowly (6 mmHg/s). The change in the arterial wall rigidity caused by cuff occlusion is different in the parts of the arterial section proximal and distal to the cuff. Accordingly, PWTT was divided into two parts: PWTT from the heart to the cuff (PWTTHC) and PWTT from the cuff to the fingertip (PWTTCF). Seven patients with various cardiovascular diseases (55–66 years old), seven healthy senior subjects (55–65 years old) and seven healthy young subjects (22–26 years old) were included in the research. Results: Changes in PWTT characterise appropriately the effect of cuff occlusion on BP measurement. Cuff occlusion affected PWTTHC and PWTTCF differently; it increased the former and decreased the latter. Increased PWTTHC reflects a less rigid arterial wall, resulting in an underestimation of BP. The changes in PWTT values are person-specific and not group-specific (patient, healthy senior, and healthy youth). Conclusion: Occlusion with the cuff is an excitation to the cardiovascular system, causing a temporary change in the dynamic properties of the arteries from the heart to the cuff. The change influences the result of indirect BP measurement. Arterial rigidity in the part proximal to the cuff can be characterized by PWTTHC, which provides different information about the arteries than the widely used PWTTHF