Comparison of local pulse wave velocity values acquired with EMFi sensor

The purpose of this work is to show the potential of Electromechanical Film (EMFi) sensor in local vascular elasticity studies via pulse wave velocity (PWV) obtained from limbs and radial arteries. ECG and pulse signals from the limbs were recorded from 48 working aged men in sitting position. Duration of the signal components (pulse transit time; PTT) from the foot point and from the peak of the ankle and radial pulse signals according to R wave of the ECG were studied. PWV parameters between left and right wrist and respectively between left and right ankle were compared with Bland-Altman (BA) plots and with Pearson correlation in order to study, whether foot point or peak point from the ankle and radial pulse give consistent information about vascular elasticity in the form of PWV. Results show that elastic information in the form of PWV is obtainable from the ankle and radial pulse signals having variation which depends from the detected site of the pulse signal. Little more variation was seen in the PWV and Pearson correlation values obtained from the foot point of the signal utilizing PTT with a minimum method. As the differences between the obtained results were relatively small, both locations are at least suitable in PWV determination giving consistent information about vascular elasticity. The variation in the form of the pulse signal due to local elasticity changes may challenge accurate point detection in PWV studies

Acute renal infarction resulting from fibromuscular dysplasia: a case report

Acute abdominal pain is one of the most frequent complaints evaluated at emergency departments. Approximately 25 % of abdominal pain patients discharged from emergency departments are diagnosed with undifferentiated abdominal pain. One possible reason for acute abdominal pain is renal infarction. Diagnosis is difficult and often late. CASE PRESENTATION: A white, 33-year-old, previously healthy Finnish man came to our emergency department because of acute abdominal pain. After evaluation and follow-up he was discharged the next day with a diagnosis of undifferentiated abdominal pain. He returned a day later and was diagnosed with renal infarction. Appropriate therapy was initiated in the nephrology ward. Further tests confirmed a diagnosis of renal infarction as a result of fibromuscular dysplasia. He recovered well and was discharged on the tenth day of hospitalization. His renal function was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Renal infarction is rare and should be considered if a patient with intense flank pain has no sign of urolithiasis or pyelonephritis. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography and assay of lactate dehydrogenase are recommended. The optimal treatment is still uncertain. Every patient discharged with undifferentiated abdominal pain should be given clear instructions as to when it is necessary to return to the emergency department.BioMed Central open acces

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Carotid and radial pulse feature analysis with EMFi sensor

The purpose of this work is to show the potential of Electromechanical Film (EMFi) sensor in vascular elasticity studies when pulse wave features from carotid pulse (CP) and radial pulse are studied. ECG, seat ballistocardiogram (BCG) and pulse signals from the limbs and CP were recorded from 48 working aged men in sitting position. Duration and amplitudes of the signal components from the ballistic seat signal, CP and radial pulse according to R wave of the ECG were studied. Several calculated parameters used to obtain vasculature stiffness information were compared with Bland-Altman (BA) plots and with Pearson correlation in order to study, whether CP and radial pulse give consistent information about vascular elasticity. Results from the BA plots and Pearson correlation show that elastic information obtained from the CP and radial pulse signals clearly differ from each other. The elasticity changes along the arterial tree seen in local pulse signals reflect also to the form of the seat BCG signal

The risk of metabolic syndrome after gestational diabetes mellitus – a hospital-based cohort study

Background Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) after delivery. Recently, the prevalence of both GDM and MetS has increased worldwide, in parallel with obesity. We investigated whether the presentation of MetS and its clinical features among women with previous GDM differs from that among those with normal glucose tolerance during pregnancy, and whether excess body weight affects the results. Methods This hospital-based study of two cohorts was performed in Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, Finland. 120 women with a history of GDM and 120 women with a history of normal glucose metabolism during pregnancy, all aged between 25 and 46 were enrolled. They all underwent physical examination and had baseline blood samples taken. All 240 women were also included in subgroup analyses to study the effect of excess body weight on the results. Results Although the groups did not differ in body mass index (BMI; p = 0.069), the risk of developing MetS after pregnancy complicated by GDM was significantly higher than after normal pregnancy, 19 vs. 8 cases (p  =  0.039). Fasting glucose (p < 0.001) and triglyceride levels (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in women affected. In subgroup analysis, cardiovascular risk factors were more common in participants with high BMI than in those with previous gestational diabetes. Conclusions The risk of MetS was 2.4-fold higher after GDM than after normal pregnancy. Cardiovascular risk factors were more common in participants with high BMI than in those with previous GDM. Multivariate analysis supported the main findings. Weight control is important in preventing MetS after delivery.BioMed Central open acces