Physiological measurement
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Physiological measurement · May 2003
Age-related changes in the characteristics of the photoplethysmographic pulse shape at various body sites.
It is accepted that older subjects have increasing arterial stiffness resulting in changes in the propagation of the pulse to the periphery, and thereby influencing the peripheral pulse timing and shape characteristics. However, this age association with pulse shape is less clear in younger subjects and for different peripheral measurement sites. The aim of this study was to determine the association between age and changes in pulse shape characteristics at the ears, fingers and toes. ⋯ Subtle, gradual and significant changes in the pulse shape were found at all sites with overall elongation of the systolic rising edge (p < 0.05) and damping of the dicrotic notch (p < 0.05) with age. The overall age-related changes in multi-site PPG pulse shape characteristics at the ear, finger and toe sites have been demonstrated and quantified. Age-matched normal ranges must be considered when evaluating pulses from patients with possible vascular disease.