Non-Invasive Estimation of Central Systolic Blood Pressure by Radial Tonometry: A Simplified Approach

Backround. Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) provides valuable clinical and physiological information. A recent invasive study showed that cSBP can be reliably estimated from mean (MBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. In this non-invasive study, we compared cSBP calculated using a Direct Central Blood Pressure estimation (DCBP = MBP(2)/DBP) with cSBP estimated by radial tonometry. Methods. Consecutive patients referred for cardiovascular assessment and prevention were prospectively included. Using applanation tonometry with SphygmoCor device, cSBP was estimated using an inbuilt generalized transfer function derived from radial pressure waveform, which was calibrated to oscillometric brachial SBP and DBP. The time-averaged MBP was calculated from the radial pulse waveform. The minimum acceptable error (DCBP-cSBP) was set at ≤5 (mean) and ≤8 mmHg (SD). Results. We included 160 patients (58 years, 54%men). The cSBP was 123.1 ± 18.3 mmHg (range 86–181 mmHg). The (DCBP-cSBP) error was −1.4 ± 4.9 mmHg. There was a linear relationship between cSBP and DCBP (R(2) = 0.93). Forty-seven patients (29%) had cSBP values ≥ 130 mmHg, and a DCBP value > 126 mmHg exhibited a sensitivity of 91.5% and specificity of 94.7% in discriminating this threshold (Youden index = 0.86; AUC = 0.965). Conclusions. Using the DCBP formula, radial tonometry allows for the robust estimation of cSBP without the need for a generalized transfer function. This finding may have implications for risk stratification.