Standardization of a new non-invasive device for assessment of arterial stiffness in rats: Correlation with age-related arteries’ structure

ABSTRACT Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has become a gold standard index to quantify the stiffness of the aorta and is a predictor of cardiovascular events. A recent paper compared the pOpmetre®, a device for measuring the finger-toe PWV, with other techniques and demonstrated its accuracy and validity. However, human devices do not allow the advancement of our knowledge on conditioning mechanisms. Based on its human validation, a new device, pOpmetre® 1.0 was designed for estimation of PWV in small animals and this present study aimed to standardize the pOpmetre® for estimation of arterial stiffness in rats, and to confirm its liability and stability as well as the reproducibility of assessments. Therefore several precautions were taken into consideration like as the correct position of the animal and photodiodes according to manufacturers’ suggestions. Results indicated that estimation of PWV through the new pOpmetre® 1.0 device exhibits good internal consistency, stability and objectivity in all tests performed between days and evaluators. Importantly, data suggest for the first time that this new device is able to detect changes in arterial stiffness that are conditioned by age and pressure-related arterial remodeling. • This new pOpmetre® device is able to detect changes in vessel structure. • This new pOpmetre® device exhibits good internal consistency, stability and objectivity in all tests performed • Correct position of the animal and photodiodes are crucial to obtain a very stable signal.