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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Does arterial stiffness predict atherosclerotic coronary events?
Carmel M McEniery1, John R Cockcroft
1Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Insights
Arterial stiffness, a simple noninvasive measure, is a key indicator for predicting coronary heart disease events. Early identification and risk stratification are crucial for managing cardiovascular disease in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gerontology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally.
- Increased longevity leads to a greater overlap between age-related vascular changes and atherosclerosis driven by risk factors.
- Effective early identification and risk stratification are essential for managing cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the predictive value of arterial stiffness for coronary events.
- To explore the pathophysiological mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on current evidence.
- Analysis of studies measuring arterial stiffness noninvasively in large populations.
Main Results:
- Arterial stiffness is a significant determinant of cardiovascular risk.
- Noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness is feasible in large populations.
- Evidence supports the predictive value of arterial stiffness for coronary events.
Conclusions:
- Arterial stiffness is a valuable marker for cardiovascular risk stratification.
- Understanding the link between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis can improve CHD prevention strategies.
Abstract:
Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death and morbidity. Due to the increased longevity of most developed societies, there is an increasing overlap between arteriosclerosis associated with normal vascular ageing and atherosclerosis associated with cardiovascular risk factors. There is therefore a need for improvements, both in the early identification of individuals at risk, and in cardiovascular risk stratification. Arterial stiffness is an important determinant of cardiovascular risk and can now be measured simply and noninvasively in large populations. This review will therefore focus on the current evidence as to the predictive value of arterial stiffness in relation to coronary events and also on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis.
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