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Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
06:08

Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Published on: February 7, 2014

Aortic pulse wave velocity predicts cardiovascular mortality in subjects >70 years of age

S Meaume1, A Benetos, O F Henry

  • 1Geriatrics Department of Charles-Foix Hospital, Limeil-Brevannes, France.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|December 18, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts cardiovascular death in older adults. This measure is a stronger predictor than blood pressure in individuals aged 70-100.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a known predictor of cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive and end-stage renal disease patients.
  • The role of PWV in cardiovascular risk assessment for the elderly (70-100 years) remains largely untested.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate aortic PWV as a predictor of cardiovascular mortality in elderly individuals aged 70 to 100 years.
  • To compare the predictive value of PWV against traditional blood pressure parameters in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving 141 subjects (mean age 87.1 years) across three geriatric departments.
  • Aortic PWV was measured using a validated automatic device, alongside standard sphygmomanometric blood pressure.
  • Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify mortality predictors over a 30-month follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • Aortic PWV emerged as the primary independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (P=0.016, OR=1.19).
  • Age and loss of autonomy were significant predictors of overall mortality.
  • Neither antihypertensive treatment nor blood pressure parameters (systolic, pulse pressure) showed additive predictive value for cardiovascular death.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic PWV is a robust and independent predictor of cardiovascular death in individuals aged 70 to 100 years.
  • PWV is a more significant cardiovascular risk marker in this elderly population than conventional blood pressure measurements.
  • Further intervention trials are warranted to confirm these findings.

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