Potential of photoplethysmogram for the detection of calcification and stenosis in lower limb

Early detection of arterial stiffness (AS) and atherosclerosis in lower limb is useful for the detection of cardiovascular and diabetic foot diseases. We used photoplethysmogram for the screening of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and detection of AS occurred due to calcification. The study included three different groups (15-normal subjects (group-1), 6-subjects with known calcification (group-2) and 13 PAD patients). Compared to group-1, we obtained a significant increase in rise-time (282.00 vs. 305.50, p value = 0.009) and area under rise-time (AUR) (71.075 vs. 76.085, p value = 0.041) in PAD group. Similarly in group-2 significant decreases in AUR (71.075 vs. 60.825, p value = 0.000), area under diastole (136.347 vs. 110.538, p value = 0.001), Area (209.729 vs. 170.202, p value = 0.000) and 'b/a' (0.697 vs. 0.933, p value = 0.020) ratio was obtained compared to group-1 and significant increase in these features were noted in comparison with PAD group. The present finding may aid in the detection of PAD and AS due to calcification and arrange proper treatments plan.