Bioimpedance and Arterial Distension

It is emphasized that measurements of pulse wave velocity was not a part of this trial, which implies that only uncalibrated blood pressures could be measured. The specific objectives were:

• To determine conductivities and permittivities in the spectral region from 1 KHz to 1 MHz for persons with: (a) a normal distribution of fat and muscles, (b) exceptionally thick layers of subcutaneous fat, and (c) exceptionally thin layers of subcutaneous fat. Both sexes should be represented.
• To verify that temporal variations synchronous with the heartbeat could be measured on all three groups.

Hypotheses:

A. That experimentally in vivo determined electrical parameters for tissues would differ considerably from theoretical values and from values measured in vitro experiments.

B. That the variations of the electrical parameters would exhibit little variation from person to person.

C. Those simple experimental relations can be established for the electrical parameters by including a simple vascularization model.

D. That it is possible to measure temporal variation of the impedance, which are synchronous with the heartbeat.

E. That the measured values would facilitate the calculation of the differential blood pressure with accuracies better than 10 mmHg.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 - 80 years
• Mental ability to understand information to test subjects

Exclusion criteria

• Serious illness
• Allergic reactions to ECG or EMG electrodes
• Mentally unstable or unable to perceive instructions
• Metal implants
• Claustrophobia
• Disqualified for MR scanning
• Pregnant