Simplified pulse wave velocity measurement in children: Is the pOpmètre valid?

In population exposed to cardiovascular risk, aortic stiffness is an important marker which is assessed by carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). In childhood, the validated applanation tonometer SphygmoCor® can be used to measure PWV, but is limited in routine practice by the child’s cooperation and operator’s experience. An alternative device, the pOpmètre® is validated in adults and rapidly measures finger-to-toe PWV using 2 oxymeter-like sensors. The aim of this study is to validate the pOpmètre® device in children aged between 4 and 8 years. We compared simultaneous PWV measurements of the two devices, SphygmoCor® and pOpmètre®, in a training group, using the Bland-Altman method. Then we proposed an algorithm to correct pOpmètre® PWV (PWVpop). Finally, we validated this new algorithm in a validation group of children using the Bland-Altman method. This prospective study enrolled 26 children in the training group. Mean PWVpop was 3.919 ± 0.587 m/s and mean SphygmoCor® PWV was 4.280 ± 0.383 m/s, with a difference of -0.362(CI95%(-0.546;-0.178)) m/s. A new algorithm was defined using transit time (TTpop): corrected PWVpop (m/s) = 0.150/TTpop(s) + 1.381*Height(m) + 1.148. We enrolled 24 children in the validation group. Mean corrected PWVpop was 4.231 ± 0.189 m/s and mean SphygmoCor® PWV was 4.208 ± 0.296 m/s with a corrected difference of 0.023(CI95%(-0.086;0.131)) m/s. With this algorithm correction, we found an agreement between PWV measured by the SphygmoCor® and the pOpmètre®, with a difference of less than 10%. Using this algorithm, the pOpmètre® could be used in clinical or research practice in young children exposed to cardiovascular risk. (This study was registered as NCT02991703).