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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Chunghyul-dan (Qingxie-dan) improves arterial stiffness in patients with increased baPWV
Seong Uk Park1, Woo Sang Jung, Sang Kwan Moon
1Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (Stroke Center), College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Chunghyul-dan (CHD) significantly reduced arterial stiffness in patients with elevated brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). This improvement occurred independently of changes in blood pressure or lipid profiles, suggesting a direct effect on vascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is a key predictor of cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis.
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV), particularly brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV), is a validated measure of arterial stiffness.
- Chunghyul-dan (CHD) exhibits known anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chunghyul-dan (CHD) in improving arterial stiffness.
- To assess the impact of CHD on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in patients with elevated baPWV.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 35 subjects with increased baPWV (> 1400 cm/sec).
- The treatment group (n=20) received 600 mg of CHD three times daily for 8 weeks.
- The control group (n=15) received no medication.
- baPWV was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks; blood pressure and lipid profiles were monitored.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in baPWV was observed in the CHD treatment group after 8 weeks (p < 0.05).
- No significant changes in baPWV were noted in the control group.
- Blood pressure and most serum lipid profiles remained unchanged, except for a decrease in triglyceride levels, suggesting the effect on arterial stiffness is largely independent of these factors.
Conclusions:
- Chunghyul-dan (CHD) demonstrates a beneficial effect on arterial stiffness in patients with elevated baPWV.
- The mechanism of action appears to be independent of significant changes in blood pressure or major lipid parameters.
- CHD may represent a potential therapeutic agent for managing arterial stiffness and associated cardiovascular risk.
Abstract:
Arterial stiffness is an important, independent determinant of cardiovascular risk. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been used as a valuable index of arterial stiffness and as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. Chunghyul-dan (CHD) has anti-hyperlipidemic activity, anti-inflammatory activity and anti-atherogenic effects. To determine its clinical effect on increased arterial stiffness, we examined whether CHD improves arterial stiffness in patients with increased brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV). Thirty-five subjects with increased baPWV (> 1400 cm/sec) were recruited and randomized to a treatment group (20 subjects) or a control group (15 subjects). The treatment group was administered CHD at a dose of 600 mg three times a day for 8 weeks, and the control group received no medication (observation only). baPWV was assessed using a pulse pressure analyzer at baseline and after 8 weeks. Blood pressure and serum lipid profile were monitored in the treatment group. Our results indicate that baPWV was lowered significantly in the treatment group after 8 weeks of medication (p < 0.05), but not in the control group. Moreover, there were no significant changes in blood pressure and serum lipids profile except triglyceride level suggesting that the effect is largely independent of CHD's lipid-lowering effect or a blood pressure change. In conclusion, CHD appears to improve arterial stiffness in patients with increased PWV.
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