Interaction Between Beat-to-Beat Variability of Pulse Wave Velocity and Blood Pressure in Healthy Young Subjects: Fighter Pilots and Non-Sporting Controls

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) indirectly reflects arterial stiffness, but it is also influenced by arterial blood pressure (BP). Aim of the study is analysis of the interaction between beat-to-beat changes of BP and PWV in dependence on postural change. Continual BP in the finger and ECG were simultaneously recorded during phases: supine (sup) and head-up-tilt in 45° (hut) in two groups of healthy man (23–24 years): fighter pilots (9) and non-sporting controls (8). Sequences of systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), pulse pressure (PP) and PWV (from heart to finger) were detected beat-to-beat. Gains of tranfer function from SBP/DBP/PP to PWV were calculated as a mean in the low frequency band (0.04 – 0.15 Hz). Supine $Gain_{dbp-pwv}$, hut Gain dbp_pwv and $Gain_{pp-pwv}$ were significantly higher in pilots than in controls. $Gain_{sbp-pwv}$ and $Gain_{pp-pwv}$ in pilots increased from the sup to hut. Gain from BP to PWV is a new complex variable containing information about arterial stiffness and BP control difficult to interpretation. Increased values in pilots during hut could be given by well trained baroreflex control of arterial tonus or by better condition of arterial wall. Gain seems as the potentiall marker of the arterial health.