Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(02): 130-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1291185
Training &Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparing the Finapres and Caretaker Systems for Measuring Pulse Transit Time Before and After Exercise

A. A. Phillips
1   Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2   Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
J. Burr
2   Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
A. T. Cote
2   Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
H.J. A. Foulds
1   Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2   Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
S. Charlesworth
2   Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
S.S. D. Bredin
3   Cognitive and Functional Learning Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
D.E. R. Warburton
1   Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2   Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 30 August 2011

Publication Date:
17 November 2011 (online)

Abstract

We aimed to compare the Finapres system, which is designed for accurate intra-arterial amplitude measurement, to the Caretaker system, which is designed for temporal accuracy of intra-arterial measurement, in regard to measurement of pulse transit time (PTT) at baseline and following an endurance exercise session. Pulse transit time was evaluated between the R-wave of the ECG and the foot of the arterial waveform using either the Finapres (fpPTT) or Caretaker (ctPTT). 23 participants were measured before and after completion of endurance exercise. When comparing PTT values before and after an exercise intervention within devices, ctPTT was significantly different following exercise (P=0.03); however, the Finapres obtained values did not differ significantly. Before exercise, there was no significant relationship between devices, however, after exercise a significant moderate correlation was observed (r=0.45, P=0.02). Significant differences existed between ctPTT and fpPTT (P< 0.001). The Caretaker system appears to be more accurate at detecting changes in PTT occurring as a result of a single aerobic exercise session. This may be due to the servo-controller feedback loop in the waveform contour predicting algorithm within the Finapres system, which is not present in the Caretaker unit. The Finapres system also appears to have an inherent delay in pulse contour reporting.

 
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