| title: | Differential servo-oscillometric method in non-invasive diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF6487 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | University of Tartu |
| head of project: | Rein Raamat |
| duration: | 01.01.2005 - 31.12.2008 |
| description: | A great number of blood circulation disorders are connected with a decrease in the elasticity of the arterial wall. As a rule, damage of the endothelium of blood vessels is observed before clinical signs of atherosclerosis appear. For estimating endothelial function (dysfunction), pulse contour analysis and pharmacological provocation tests are often used. The aim of this grant project is to develop and apply alternative means for estimating arterial stiffness, primarily methods and devices based on the differential servo-oscillometric methodology introduced by our group at the Dept Physiology, University of Tartu, that would add to and widen the existing scope of instrumental means for estimating endothelial function. An essential advantage of the novel methodology is its selective capacity to estimate the stiffness of small arteries apart from large arteries wheras the pulse contour analysis applied widely in clinical practice gives a systemic (integral) estimate. It is well established that a decrease in the elasticity of small but not large blood vessels is a significant and independent risk marker for cardiovascular events. The project involves theoretical and experimental studies to improve non-linear pressure-volume relationship of the existing model of the arterial wall, and solving a number of identification problems now reducing an accuracy of arterial stiffness (compliance) estimation. The technique should be made compatible with the methodology of assessment of endothelial function. Step by step studies are planned to sofisticate the measuring algorithms on the basis of comparison of the servo-oscillometric and traditional methodologies. Joint studies will be carried out at the Endothelium Research Centre, University of Tartu, and in research laboratories of the universities of Kuopio and Oslo. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Boriss Kudimov | University of Tartu | ||
| 2. | Rein Raamat | University of Tartu | Sen. researcher | |
| 3. | Jaak Talts | University of Tartu | researcher | |