DCN101444 Rev 2.0

Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) Quick Guide The following guide provides step-by-step instructions for taking a Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) measurement. Refer to the manual for more detailed instructions. To begin, double-click on the SphygmoCor XCEL icon on the computer desktop to open the application. Ensure the software and SphygmoCor XCEL module are communicating by navigating to System in the toolbar and selecting Find Module. If an error message is encountered, consult the manual for troubleshooting instructions. Setup Screen 1. Select PWV from the drop-down menu in the top left side of the Setup Screen.

2. To enter a new patient into the database, click the New button in the bottom left corner of the

screen. Note: If the patient already exists in the database, highlight the name and proceed to Step 5. 3. Enter the Last Name, Date of Birth, and Gender. All other fields are optional. 4. Click on the Save button in the bottom center of the screen. 5. Wrap the light blue femoral cuff firmly around the subjects upper thigh

ensuring the tube is on top of the leg and facing towards the subjects head (Figure 1).

Note:The femoral cuff can be placed over clothing such as thin trousers; however in rare cases it may be necessary to remove the clothing to allow detection of the femoral pulse wave.

6. Measure, in millimeters, the distance from the

suprasternal notch to the carotid pulse point and enter the value into the Carotid to Sternal Notch field (labeled 1 in Figure 2). Measure, in millimeters, the distance from the suprasternal notch to the top of the femoral cuff (shortest distance) and enter the value into the Sternal Notch to Cuff field (labeled 2 in Figure 2).

Note: The Femoral to Cuff field (labeled 3 in Figure 2) will be pre-populated with a distance of 200 millimeters. For a more accurate PWV calculation, measure the distance from the femoral pulse to the top of the cuff and enter it into this field.

7. Click the Capture button (labeled 4 in Figure 2) in the

bottom right corner of the screen

8. Perform applanation tonometry at the carotid pulse. Once ten seconds of regular carotid waveforms have been

Figure 1

Figure 2

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DCN101444 Rev 2.0

detected, the femoral cuff will inflate to acquire femoral waveforms.

9. When ten seconds of consistent carotid and femoral waveforms have been simultaneously

acquired, the assessment will be collected and a report generated. The assessment can also be collected manually by pressing the keyboard spacebar.

Note: The cuff can be deflated at any time by pressing the Cancel button on the screen or pushing the Stop ! button on the top of the device.

Report Screen

Figure 3

10. Assess the Quality Control (labeled 1 in Figure 3) of the measurement. A green check (Figure 4) is an indication of reproducible waveforms while a red X (Figure 5) denotes unacceptable data.

Acceptable Unacceptable

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Figure 4 Figure 5