Value and Variability of Pulse Shape Indicator for Estimating Mean Arterial Pressure in the Radial and Femoral Arteries.

Background: The form factor (FF) is a pulse shape indicator that corresponds to the fraction of pulse pressure added to diastolic blood pressure to estimate the time-averaged mean arterial pressure (MAP). Our invasive study assessed the FF value and variability at the radial and femoral artery levels and evaluated the recommended fixed FF value of 0.33.

Methods And Results: Hemodynamically stable patients were prospectively included in 2 intensive care units. FF was documented at baseline and during dynamic maneuvers. A total of 632 patients (64±16 years of age, 66% men, MAP=81±14 mm Hg) were included. Among them, 355 (56%) had a radial catheter and 277 (44%) had a femoral catheter. The FF was 0.34±0.06. In multiple linear regression, FF was influenced by biological sex (<0.0001) and heart rate (=0.04) but not by height, weight, or catheter location. The radial FF was 0.35±0.06, whereas the femoral FF was 0.34±0.05 (=0.08). Both radial and femoral FF were higher in women than in men (<0.05). When using the 0.33 FF value to estimate MAP, the error was -0.4±4.0 mm Hg and -0.1±2.9 mm Hg at the radial and femoral level, respectively, and the MAP estimate still demonstrated high accuracy and good precision even after changes in norepinephrine dose, increase in positive end-expiratory pressure level, fluid administration, or prone positioning (n=218).

Conclusions: Despite higher FF in women and despite interindividual variability in FF, using a fixed FF value of 0.33 yielded accurate and precise estimations of MAP. This finding has potential implications for blood pressure monitoring devices and the study of pulse wave amplification.