Using Korotkoff Sounds to Detect the Degree of Vascular Compliance in Different Age Groups
Introduction: The principle behind the generation of the Korotkoff sounds is the turbulence of blood flowing through a partially occluded area in the artery. With increasing age, the vascular wall compliance is expected to decrease, which is due to the thickening of the vessel wall, due to which...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2016-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/7198/16225_CE(RA1)_F(T)_PF1(BMAK)_PFA(AK)_PF2(PAG).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The principle behind the generation of the Korotkoff
sounds is the turbulence of blood flowing through a partially
occluded area in the artery. With increasing age, the vascular wall
compliance is expected to decrease, which is due to the thickening
of the vessel wall, due to which the amplitude of the transmitted
Korotkoff sounds is decreased. There is also an accompanying
rise in the systolic B.P. and pulse pressure.
Aim: To record and compare the amplitudes of the intermediate
Korotkoff sounds and the blood pressures in individuals of the
two age groups, and calculate the pulse pressure and determine
whether they vary in relation to the amplitude of the intermediate
Korotkoff sounds recorded.
Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was
conducted on 50 young subjects (15-25 years) and 50 older
subjects (50-70 years). The mid arm circumference was measured
using a tape. A phonoarteriogram was placed over the left brachial
artery and the sphygmomanometer cuff was tied 2cm above the
cubital fossa of the left arm. The blood pressure was recorded
using the Lab Tutor software. The Korotkoff sounds picked up and
transmitted by the phonoarteriogram are represented as distinct
lines on the graphical recording.
Statistical Analysis: Independent samples t-test to look for
significant mean amplitude differences and for correlating mean
amplitude and pulse pressure. Null hypothesis rejected at p<0.05.
Data analysed using the SPSS software version 20.0 (SPSS Inc.).
Results: There was a significant difference in the mean amplitudes
of Korotkoff sounds among the different age groups (p=0.001)
and subject categories (p=0.043 among males, p=0.037 among
females). A significant difference in pulse pressures was also
seen among different age groups and subject categories. The
decrease in the amplitudes of Korotkoff sounds in the older age
group accompanies the increase in pulse pressures seen in this
group and the same was seen among the different age groups
within each sex (r=-0.574, p=0.001 among males) and (r=-0.449,
p=0.002 among females).
Conclusion: Measuring the amplitude of Korotkoff sounds can
give us an idea of the nature of the arterial wall as shown by a
decrease in amplitude in older individuals when compared to the
younger individuals and of the volume of blood flowing through the
artery as shown by the higher amplitudes observed in males when
compared to females. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |