Reproducibility of pulse wave velocity and augmentation index derived from non-invasive occlusive oscillometric tonometry analysis in adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term reproducibility of aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) assessed by the non-invasive oscillometric device. Altogether of 55 (19 boys, 36 girls) adolescents 16-19-years-of-age participated in the study. PWVao and AIx% were measured during the same laboratory visit at 2 min intervals using the Arteriograph™ device. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O_2peak ) was assessed by the maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and body fat percentage by bioelectrical impedance analysis. We studied reproducibility using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficient variation with the root-means-square method expressed as percentages (CV%), and 95% limit of agreement (95% LA) and coefficient repeatability of the Bland-Altman plot. ICC for PWVao was 0·90, CV% 3·7 and the limits of agreement were -0·70 and 0·58 with a coefficient repeatability of 0·65. ICC for AIx% was 0·88, CV% 29·1%, and the limits of agreement were -6·8 and 7·1 with a coefficient repeatability of 6·9. No relevant differences in ICC, CV%, and coefficient repeatability for PWVao between adolescents with higher or lower V̇O_2peak or body fat percentage were observed. For AIx%, ICC was lower, CV% higher and coefficient repeatability higher in adolescents with higher V̇O_2peak or lower body fat percentage than in adolescents with lower V̇O_2peak or higher body fat percentage. Short-term reproducibility of Arteriograph™-derived PWVao was relatively good and was not affected by V̇O_2peak or adiposity. However, the reproducibility of AIx% was modest especially among adolescents with higher V̇O_2peak and lower body fat percentage.