Noninvasive simultaneous measurement of blood pressure and blood flow velocity for hemodynamic analysis.

We describe a noninvasive and simultaneous measurement method of beat-by-beat blood pressure and blood flow velocity waveforms in the radial artery using tonometry and Doppler flowmetry. We conducted a subjective experiment in which hold-down pressure of tonometry was controlled for determining optimal hold-down pressure and the measurement accuracy under the optimal hold-down pressure was evaluated. As a result, blood pressure and blood flow velocity could be measured simultaneously without the influence of the hold-down pressure on the blood flow velocity. It was possible to analyze hemodynamic indicators, such as wave intensity and vascular impedance, with blood pressure and blood flow using the system. The proposed system for detecting unexpected fluctuations in blood pressure and the involved mechanisms may contribute to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.