An Example of Test on Differences of Pulse Waveform Characteristics at Cun, Guan and Chi

촌, 관, 척 위치의 맥파 특징 차이 검정에 대한 1례

Although the pulse diagnosis position, Guan is apart from Cun or Chi by only $10{\sim}20$ mm at most, traditional medical doctors applies different indent pressures and even they states different pulse images are felt at Cun, Guan and Chi, To support their clinical behaviors, in this study, we tested statistically whether there are differences in pulse waveform measured at these three positions with SphygmoCor system used world widely, A 30 years old female subject without any evidence of cardiovascular diseases was involved in this experiment. Radial pulse waves were recorded at three different positions on left lower arm 10 times at three positions-Cun, Guan and Chi. With ANOVA, we tested whether, among three different positions. there are any differences in 12 parameters of radial pulse waveform and in estimated AIx(Augmentation Index) as an arterial stiffness index extracted from radial pulse waveform. As results, differences in optimal indent pressure h0 were observed at different measuring positions(P<0.001) but not significantly different. And pulse pressure his were found to be different(Chi$22.60{\pm}3.06%,\;18.60{\pm}3.37%\;and\;26.4{\pm}5.02%$ respectively. Consequently. AIx at Gwan seems to be lowest and that at Chi seems to be highest. So. we assert the AIx at Chi is likely to be overestimated. In further studies. we want to examine what make differences in these parameters between measuring positions. And it also seems to be worthy to investigate the relationship between the depth of radial artery and AIx. And, ultimately, we need to determine the best measuring process including measuring position, hold-down pressure, signal quality validation and so on. so to achieve the optimal waveform which represents subject's health condition for both western medicine and traditional medicine.