The availability of simple, accurate, and affordable cuffless blood pressure (BP) devices has the potential to greatly increase the compliance with measurement recommendations and the utilization of BP measurements for BP telemonitoring. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between findings from routine BP measurements using a conventional sphygmomanometer with the results from a portable ECG monitor combined with photoplethysmography (PPG) for pulse wave registration in patients with arterial hypertension. Methods: The study included 500 patients aged 32–88 years (mean 64 ± 7.9 years). Mean values from three routine BP measurements by a sphygmomanometer with cuff were selected for comparison; within one minute after the last measurement, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for 3 min in the standard lead I using a smartphone-case based single-channel ECG monitor (CardioQVARK^®-limited responsibility company “L-CARD”, Moscow, Russia) simultaneously with a PPG pulse wave recording. Using a combination of the heart signal with the PPG, levels of systolic and diastolic BP were determined based on machine learning using a previously developed and validated algorithm and were compared with sphygmomanometer results. Results: According to the Bland–Altman analysis, SD for systolic BP was 3.63, and bias was 0.32 for systolic BP. SD was 2.95 and bias was 0.61 for diastolic BP. The correlation between the results from the sphygmomanometer and the cuffless method was 0.89 (p = 0.001) for systolic and 0.87 (p = 0.002) for diastolic BP. Conclusion: Blood pressure measurements on a smartphone-case without a cuff are encouraging. However, further research is needed to improve the accuracy and reliability of clinical use in the majority of patients.

It would be useful to develop a reliable method for the cuffless measurement of blood pressure (BP), as such a method could be made available anytime and anywhere for the effective screening and monitoring of arterial hypertension. The purpose of this study is to evaluate blood pressure measurements through a CardioQVARK device in clinical practice in different patient groups. Methods: This study involved 167 patients aged 31 to 88 years (mean 64.2 ± 7.8 years) with normal blood pressure, high blood pressure, and compensated high blood pressure. During each session, three routine blood pressure measurements with intervals of 30 s were taken using a sphygmomanometer with an appropriate cuff size, and the mean value was selected for comparison. The measurements were carried out by two observers trained at the same time with a reference sphygmomanometer using a Y-shaped connector. In the minute following the last cuff-based measurements, an electrocardiogram (ECG) with an I-lead and a photoplethysmocardiogram were recorded simultaneously for 3 min with the CardioQVARK device. We compared the systolic and diastolic BP obtained from a cuff-based mercury sphygmomanometer and smartphone-case-based BP device: the CardioQVARK monitor. A statistical analysis plan was developed using the IEEE Standard for Wearable Cuffless Blood Pressure Devices. Bland–Altman plots were used to estimate the precision of cuffless measurements. Results: The mean difference between the values defined by CardioQVARK and the cuff-based sphygmomanometer for systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 0.31 ± 3.61, while that for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 0.44 ± 3.76. The mean absolute difference (MAD) for SBP was 3.44 ± 2.5 mm Hg, and that for DBP was 3.21 ± 2.82 mm Hg. In the subgroups, the smallest error (less than 3 mm Hg) was observed in the prehypertension group, with a slightly larger error (up to 4 mm Hg) found among patients with a normal blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension. The largest error was found in the stage 2 hypertension group (4–5.5 mm Hg). The largest error was 4.2 mm Hg in the high blood pressure group. We, therefore, did not record an error in excess of 7 mmHg, the upper boundary considered acceptable in the IEEE recommendations. We also did not reach a mean error of 5 mmHg, the upper boundary considered acceptable according to the very recent ESH recommendations. At the same time, in all groups of patients, the systolic blood pressure was determined with an error of less than 5 mm Hg in more than 80% of patients. While this study shows that the CardioQVARK device meets the standards of IEEE, the Bland–Altman analysis indicates that the cuffless measurement of diastolic blood pressure has significant bias. The difference was very small and unlikely to be of clinical relevance for the individual patient, but it may well have epidemiological relevance on a population level. Therefore, the CardioQVARK device, while being worthwhile for monitoring patients over time, may not be suitable for screening purposes. Cuffless blood pressure measurement devices are emerging as a convenient and tolerable alternative to cuff-based devices. However, there are several limitations to cuffless blood pressure measurement devices that should be considered. For instance, this study showed a high proportion of measurements with a measurement error of <5 mmHg, while detecting a small, although statistically significant, bias in the measurement of diastolic blood pressure. This suggests that this device may not be suitable for screening purposes. However, its value for monitoring BP over time is confirmed. Furthermore, and most importantly, the easy measurement method and the device portability (integrated in a smartphone) may increase the self-awareness of hypertensive patients and, potentially, lead to an improved adherence to their treatment. Conclusion: The cuffless blood pressure technology developed in this study was tested in accordance with the IEEE protocol and showed great precision in patient groups with different blood pressure ranges. This approach, therefore, has the potential to be applied in clinical practice.

Сравнение диагностической эффективности методик неинвазивного расчета фракционного резерва кровотока, основанных на построении одномерной и трехмерной математических моделей

The aim. To evaluate the reliability of blood pressure (BP) measurement results using a cuffless blood pressure device (CardioQVARK^®) in comparison with the values obtained using the Korotkov method.Materials and methods. An observational cross-sectional study of 50 patients (25 men, mean age 60 ± 14 years) with arterial hypertension was performed. Blood pressure was measured by the Korotkov method as a standard method, and a CardioQVARK® device, made in the form of a smartphone case, was used as a new method. The device records the electrocardiogram and the photoplethysmogram. Based on the parameters of the electrocardiogram and the photoplethysmogram the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) is calculated. Correlation analysis, Student’s t-test, Bland-Altman method were used for comparing the two methods, the standard deviation of the difference and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean values of SBP and DBP for the two methods. There was a strong direct relationship between SBP (r = 0.976, p < 0.0001) and DBP (r = 0.817, p < 0.0001), measured by two methods. Bias for SBP and DBP measured by the new method was: –0.5 mm Hg (95% CI: –1.7; 0.7) and –0.3 mmHg (95% CI: –1.4; 0.7), respectively. The difference in DBP measurements depended on the blood pressure level (r = 0.302, p = 0.03). The underestimation of DBP values was more pronounced for low blood pressure from 55 to 75 mm Hg. At the time of the study, 13 (26%) patients had an increase in blood pressure. The sensitivity of the new method in detecting arterial hypertension was 77% (95% CI: 46; 95), specificity 100% (95% CI: 91; 100), accuracy 94% (95% CI: 83; 99).Conclusion. The blood pressure measurement method based on the analysis of the electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram showed reliable blood pressure measurement results in comparison with the Korotkov method.

Introduction: Nowadays, more than 50% of new cases of heart failure (HF) are due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Diastolic dysfunction of left ventricular underlies the development of HFpEF. Determination of diastolic function can be determinated using echocardiographic examination but not as a method of screening. Purpose: Create a Machine Learning model to determinate severe (2nd or 3rd degrees) left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LV DD) using single channel ECG. Methods: The study prospectively included 375 patients aged between 18 and 88 years. Each of them underwent an assessment of left ventricular diastolic function using echocardiography based on ASE/EACVI guidelines and standard 2016. ECG was registered in I standard lead for 3 minutes. Then a spectral analysis of the ECG was performed using a wavelet transform based on the Fourier transform. Prediction of LV DD was implemented based on different machine learning methods. Results: Based on the time intervals between the waves, the energy of the ECG signal in the target zones of the complexes, the amplitude at different points of the ECG complexes and the asymmetry indicators, different mathematical models were created to determine the severe (2nd or 3rd degree) LV DD. Lasso regression predicted the presence of severe LV DD with sensitivity 90% and specificity 80,6% (AUC- 0.856). The most significant for this method were the following variables: TA, SDNN, RonsF, ASEPMAX, B1, TpTe, ADP, SEPMAX, Sbeta, SEPF, RR, SRP-B0, Pan.1, QT/TQ, PpeakN, SA, SRP-B1. Random Forest also showed high sensitivity 80% and specificity 89, 3% (AUC- 0.860). For Random Forest model the most dignificant were: TpTe, VAT, QTc, QT/TQ, J80A, TA, Tenergy, Tpenergy, Beta, QRS11energy, Pan, Pan.1, RA, Pfi, QRSst, QRSfi, PpeakP, PpeakN, Rpeak, Speak, RonsF, B0-B1, SEP, SEP-B1, SEP-B0, SRP, SRP-B1, SRP-B0, ASEP. LV DD 1 degree did not have markers in our study. Conclusion: Several machine learning methods have shown high sensitivity and specificity in identifying severe LV DD. Potentially ECG can be used as a screening method for determination of the LV DD. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This work was financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of state support for the creation and development of World-Class Research Centers “Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare” No. 075-15-2020-926

State-of-the-art therapy improves the five-year survival rate of patients under the age of 20 with cranial and craniospinal tumors by up to 74%. The urgency of dealing effectively with late treatment-associated cardiovascular complications is rising. Objective: We aimed to assess echocardiographic parameters and exercise performance in subjects with a history of complex treatment for cranial and craniospinal tumors in childhood. Methods: the study of 48 subjects who underwent cranial and craniospinal irradiation for CNS tumors in childhood and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers was conducted. The examination included hormone studies, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and, in the main group, echocardiography (ECHO). Results: In five (10.4%) patients, ECHO changes were detected after complex anti-cancer treatment: thickening and calcification of the aortic valve leaflets (2%), and reduction in the systolic LV and RV function (8% and 6%, respectively). Irradiation of various areas was a significant predictor for reduced exercise tolerance, hyperventilation at rest and upon exertion, and an increased ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide. Low exercise tolerance was associated with a younger age at the time of treatment initiation. Significant differences were noted between the control group and the childhood cancer survivors with endocrine disorders. Conclusions: The obtained data confirm the importance of regular cardiovascular and endocrine monitoring of this group of cancer survivors.