Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 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

Arterial stiffness, central blood pressures, and wave reflections in cardiomyopathy-implications for risk

Thomas Weber1, Johann Auer, Gudrun Lamm

  • 1Cardiology Department, Klinikum Kreuzschwestern Wels, Austria.

Journal of Cardiac Failure
|July 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

In systolic heart failure patients, lower central pulse pressure and augmentation index indicate worse outcomes, contrary to general cardiovascular risk associations. Arterial function measures are influenced by left ventricular performance.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular physiology
  • Arterial biomechanics
  • Heart failure research

Background:

  • Pulse pressure (PP), augmentation index (AIx), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) generally correlate with cardiovascular risk.
  • However, in systolic heart failure, lower PP has been linked to poorer outcomes, suggesting a different relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between arterial function measures (central PP, AIx, PWV) and left ventricular performance in patients with cardiomyopathy (CMP).
  • To compare these measures between CMP patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Applanation tonometry was used to assess central PP and AIx in 63 CMP patients and 126 matched controls.
  • Aortic PWV was invasively measured in a subgroup of patients and controls.
  • Ejection fraction (EF) was assessed as a measure of left ventricular performance.

Main Results:

  • CMP patients had lower central PP and AIx compared to controls, despite similar age, gender, and brachial BP.
  • Ejection fraction was significantly lower in CMP patients (29.9%) versus controls (72.2%).
  • AIx was found to be an independent predictor of EF, and lower AIx values correlated with more advanced systolic dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Central PP and AIx are influenced by left ventricular performance, particularly in systolic heart failure.
  • Arterial stiffness measures like PWV may also be affected by ventricular function, contrary to general associations with cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...