Novel spectral approach for pulse waves contour analysis

This paper considers novel techniques for pulse wave contour analysis. Classical morphological pulse wave analysis by using stiffness index and reflection index does not provide the required accuracy of diagnosis for patients with severe arterial stiffness due to indistinguishable dicrotic peak of pulse wave. We proposed a novel approach for pulse wave contour analysis based on spectral analysis of replicated single pulse waveform. The newly developed spectral harmonic index was defined as the amplitude ratio of the first two harmonics of the amplitude spectrum. Comparative analysis of sensitivity and specificity for various indices for a set of 45 volunteers of different age and arterial stiffness was carried out. It was found that the proposed spectral harmonic index has the highest values of sensitivity (89%) and specificity (86%) compared to the existent indices defined in the time domain.