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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

[Pulse pressure and mean pressure: physiopathology and predictive value of coronary events and ictus]

P Verdecchia

    Recenti Progressi in Medicina
    |January 5, 2002
    PubMed

    Insights

    Increased pulse pressure (PP), a marker of arterial stiffness, significantly predicts cardiovascular risk, especially in individuals over 55. Higher PP indicates greater risk for coronary events than elevated mean blood pressure.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Physiology
    • Geriatric Medicine
    • Vascular Biology

    Background:

    • Increased pulse pressure (PP) signifies aortic and large elastic artery stiffness.
    • Arterial stiffness reduces vascular elasticity, impacting blood pressure dynamics.
    • Aging and atherosclerosis contribute to reduced elastic content in arteries.

    Discussion:

    • Stiffening arteries lead to higher systolic and lower diastolic blood pressure.
    • Pulse pressure is a key predictor of cardiovascular risk, particularly in older adults.
    • Epidemiological data highlights PP's strong association with cardiovascular events.

    Key Insights:

    • Pulse pressure is a more potent predictor of coronary events than mean blood pressure.
    • Mean blood pressure is a more specific predictor of cerebrovascular events.
    • Arterial stiffness is a critical factor in cardiovascular risk assessment.

    Outlook:

    • Further research into managing arterial stiffness could mitigate cardiovascular risk.
    • Developing targeted interventions for arterial stiffness may improve patient outcomes.
    • Longitudinal studies can further elucidate the relationship between PP and specific cardiovascular events.

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