AN EMBEDDED MICROPROCESSOR UNIT-BASED PORTABLE NONINVASIVE ARTERIOSCLEROSIS DETECTING SYSTEM AND ITS EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and arterial stiffness index (ASI) are considered as the independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality — the effective methods to assess arterial stiffness. A portable noninvasive arterial elasticity detecting system (PNAEDS) was developed based on embedded microprocessor unit. This system can simultaneously measure PWV, ASI and other arteriosclerosis critical risk factors. Algorithm of main critical risk factors and design of the system were described in detail. To verify the performance of the PNAEDS, laboratory prospective validation and clinical trial were launched. Reliability of the system and superiority of improved PWV algorithm were validated in laboratory prospective validation. Subsequently, the authors implemented a comparative clinical trial (60 subjects) between measured values obtained by the PNAEDS and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) value that Doppler ultrasonography measured. Clinical testing results revealed that the measurement with the PNAEDS was consistent with the measurement with the Doppler ultrasonography. In summary, the system may be used to reliably determine the arteriosclerosis critical risk factors and to the early diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease.