What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the impact of body position on arterial stiffness, particularly how it reflects cardiovascular risk.

January 10, 2026

Assessing vascular health by measuring arterial stiffness in response to hemodynamic load

Key Result

Finger-to-toe pulse wave velocity increased significantly from 8.5 ± 3.3 m/s supine to 14.3 ± 9.1 m/s sitting, with diabetes as an independent correlator.

Key Points

To evaluate the impact of body position on arterial stiffness, particularly how it reflects cardiovascular risk.
Cross-sectional design involving 248 adults, 210 with reliable measurements of pulse wave velocity (PWV).
PWV measured using photoplethysmographic sensors at finger and toe in supine and sitting positions.
Statistical analysis included univariable and stepwise multivariable regression to identify associations.
Mean PWV rose from 8.5 m/s in supine to 14.3 m/s in sitting (P < 0.001).
Δft-PWV correlated significantly with supine ft-PWV, age, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
In multivariable analysis, Δft-PWV was independently associated with supine ft-PWV and diabetes.

Structured PICO

Does postural change from supine to sitting reveal additional vascular biomechanical properties (Δft-PWV) and what are its determinants in adults with varying cardiovascular risk profiles?

Population

210 adults with varying cardiovascular risk profiles (50% hypertension, 36% diabetes, 36% on hemodialysis), mean age 55 ± 19 years, 53% male.

Intervention

Measurement of finger-to-toe pulse wave velocity (ft-PWV) in the sitting position (introducing a hydrostatic pressure gradient).

Comparator

Measurement of ft-PWV in the supine position.

Outcome

Increase in finger-to-toe pulse wave velocity (Δft-PWV) from supine to sitting and identification of its determinants.surrogate

Postural change from supine to sitting significantly increases finger-to-toe pulse wave velocity, with the magnitude of change independently associated with baseline stiffness and diabetes, offering novel biomechanical insights.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Objective: Arterial stiffness, a well established cardiovascular risk factor, is accelerated in metabolic conditions such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. It is typically assessed by measuring pulse transit time along an arterial path in the supine position. We hypothesized that introducing a hydrostatic pressure gradient by changing body position could reveal additional vascular biomechanical properties. This study aimed to quantify the increase in finger-to-toe pulse wave velocity (Δft-PWV) from supine to sitting and identify its determinants across varying cardiovascular risk profiles. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 248 adults were recruited, and 210 had reliable ft-PWV measurements in both positions. Ft-PWV was determined from pulse transit time between the finger and toe using two photoplethysmographic sensors. Results: The mean age of participants was 55 ± 19 years; 112 (53%) were male, 104 (50%) had hypertension, 76 (36%) had diabetes, and 75 (36%) were on hemodialysis. Mean SBP and DBPs were 127 ± 17 and 77 ± 12 mmHg (mean ± standard deviation). Ft-PWV increased significantly from 8.5 ± 3.3 m/s (supine) to 14.3 ± 9.1 m/s (sitting; P < 0.001). In univariable analyses, Δft-PWV was significantly associated with supine ft-PWV ( r = 0.405, P < 0.001), age ( r = 0.337, P < 0.001), diabetes ( r = 0.219, P < 0.001), and cardiovascular disease ( r = 0.188, P = 0.006). Sex, dialysis status, weight, height, and mean BP changes were not significantly associated with Δft-PWV. In stepwise multivariable regression, Δft-PWV was independently associated with supine ft-PWV (β = 0.379, P < 0.001) and diabetes (β = 0.154, P = 0.016). Conclusion: Ft-PWV increased significantly from supine to sitting. The magnitude of change was independently associated with supine ft-PWV and diabetes, highlighting biomechanical insights from postural change.

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