Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling

ObjectiveMulti-limb oscillometric cuff measurements can be used for estimating various vascular parameters and evaluating side differences in arterial pulse waveforms. In this study, we conduct an in silico investigation to evaluate the potential impact of such measurements on hemodynamics.MethodsWe...

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Main Authors: Kamil Wolos, Leszek Pstras, Malgorzata Debowska, Jan Poleszczuk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1642645/full
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author Kamil Wolos
Leszek Pstras
Malgorzata Debowska
Jan Poleszczuk
author_facet Kamil Wolos
Leszek Pstras
Malgorzata Debowska
Jan Poleszczuk
author_sort Kamil Wolos
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveMulti-limb oscillometric cuff measurements can be used for estimating various vascular parameters and evaluating side differences in arterial pulse waveforms. In this study, we conduct an in silico investigation to evaluate the potential impact of such measurements on hemodynamics.MethodsWe employed a 0–1D model of pulse wave propagation to examine the relationship between different levels of oscillometric cuff pressure applied simultaneously at multiple sites (right above the wrists and/or ankles) and the resulting changes in blood pressure and flow at selected sites in the vascular system, assuming the absence of cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms. The simulations included various combinations of cuff placements, including four cuffs applied simultaneously on all limbs. In addition, we conducted both global and local sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of selected cardiovascular parameters on the simulation results.ResultsIn the case of cuffs placed on all four limbs and inflated to suprasystolic pressure - effectively occluding the vessels beneath the cuffs - our simulations indicated an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of approximately 10% in the ascending aorta, left common carotid artery, and abdominal aorta. Additionally, the mean carotid artery blood flow increased by approximately 11% compared to baseline value. In contrast, for the case with a cuff placed only on one wrist, we observed a significantly smaller MAP increase of only 2.5%, with a 3% rise in mean carotid artery flow. Our sensitivity analysis revealed that these changes can be mitigated by relatively small adjustments in specific cardiovascular parameters, suggesting that properly functioning physiological regulatory mechanisms should easily compensate for the cuff induced hemodynamic alterations. Furthermore, global sensitivity analysis demonstrated that relatively similar increases in MAP and mean carotid blood flow are expected for different combinations of cardiovascular parameters values, indicating the robustness of our findings.SignificanceThis in silico study suggests that multi-limb cuff-based measurements may induce measurable central hemodynamic alterations if not counteracted by cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms. This suggests that such measurements may not be innocuous to individuals with some deficiencies in cardiovascular regulation. Further investigation is warranted to verify this in vivo and, if necessary, establish appropriate safety protocols.
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spelling doaj-art-39157bea55fe436e8f9995e5d75f3f1c2025-08-20T04:01:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-08-011610.3389/fphys.2025.16426451642645Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modelingKamil WolosLeszek PstrasMalgorzata DebowskaJan PoleszczukObjectiveMulti-limb oscillometric cuff measurements can be used for estimating various vascular parameters and evaluating side differences in arterial pulse waveforms. In this study, we conduct an in silico investigation to evaluate the potential impact of such measurements on hemodynamics.MethodsWe employed a 0–1D model of pulse wave propagation to examine the relationship between different levels of oscillometric cuff pressure applied simultaneously at multiple sites (right above the wrists and/or ankles) and the resulting changes in blood pressure and flow at selected sites in the vascular system, assuming the absence of cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms. The simulations included various combinations of cuff placements, including four cuffs applied simultaneously on all limbs. In addition, we conducted both global and local sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of selected cardiovascular parameters on the simulation results.ResultsIn the case of cuffs placed on all four limbs and inflated to suprasystolic pressure - effectively occluding the vessels beneath the cuffs - our simulations indicated an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of approximately 10% in the ascending aorta, left common carotid artery, and abdominal aorta. Additionally, the mean carotid artery blood flow increased by approximately 11% compared to baseline value. In contrast, for the case with a cuff placed only on one wrist, we observed a significantly smaller MAP increase of only 2.5%, with a 3% rise in mean carotid artery flow. Our sensitivity analysis revealed that these changes can be mitigated by relatively small adjustments in specific cardiovascular parameters, suggesting that properly functioning physiological regulatory mechanisms should easily compensate for the cuff induced hemodynamic alterations. Furthermore, global sensitivity analysis demonstrated that relatively similar increases in MAP and mean carotid blood flow are expected for different combinations of cardiovascular parameters values, indicating the robustness of our findings.SignificanceThis in silico study suggests that multi-limb cuff-based measurements may induce measurable central hemodynamic alterations if not counteracted by cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms. This suggests that such measurements may not be innocuous to individuals with some deficiencies in cardiovascular regulation. Further investigation is warranted to verify this in vivo and, if necessary, establish appropriate safety protocols.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1642645/fullcardiovascular modelingoscillometric measurementhemodynamicsblood pressurepulse wave propagation
spellingShingle Kamil Wolos
Leszek Pstras
Malgorzata Debowska
Jan Poleszczuk
Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
Frontiers in Physiology
cardiovascular modeling
oscillometric measurement
hemodynamics
blood pressure
pulse wave propagation
title Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
title_full Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
title_fullStr Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
title_full_unstemmed Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
title_short Impact of multi-limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics: insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
title_sort impact of multi limb oscillometric cuff measurements on hemodynamics insights from pulse wave propagation modeling
topic cardiovascular modeling
oscillometric measurement
hemodynamics
blood pressure
pulse wave propagation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1642645/full
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AT leszekpstras impactofmultilimboscillometriccuffmeasurementsonhemodynamicsinsightsfrompulsewavepropagationmodeling
AT malgorzatadebowska impactofmultilimboscillometriccuffmeasurementsonhemodynamicsinsightsfrompulsewavepropagationmodeling
AT janpoleszczuk impactofmultilimboscillometriccuffmeasurementsonhemodynamicsinsightsfrompulsewavepropagationmodeling