Abstract
This article described a method for obtaining a pulse wave propagation time (PPT) along the compressed artery. The PPT was calculated using the following equation : PPT=T/L, where T is a transmission time of pulse wave from the top of R wave in ECG to the root of the upward deflection in pulse wave measured at the second finger tip of the left hand and L is a length between the heart and the finger tip. The PPTR increased with the compression of the left forearm by the cuff inflated at the pressure of 40, 60 and 80mmHg ; where PPTR was denoted by the PPT under the compressed condition devided by the control. The slope of PPTR was determined by the least square method. The slopes of the straight line for an old subject group were significantly smaller than those of a young subject group, suggesting that the slope become smaller when the arteriosclerosis developed.
