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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 and central hemodynamics in treated hypertensive subjects according to brachial blood pressure

Michel E Safar1, Jacques Blacher, Athanase Protogerou

  • 1AP-HP Diagnosis Center, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France. michel.safarhtd.aphp.fr

Journal of Hypertension
|December 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Central blood pressure (BP) may not align with brachial BP classifications due to arterial stiffness and heart rate variations. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) may indicate effective BP control, warranting further research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hypertension Research
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • International guidelines classify brachial blood pressure (BP) for cardiovascular risk stratification.
  • Central BP, influenced by arterial stiffness and wave reflections, is an independent cardiovascular risk predictor.
  • Central BP has not been studied in relation to brachial BP classification guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between central and brachial blood pressure (BP) under chronic antihypertensive therapy.
  • To assess the role of arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), in central BP.
  • To determine if central BP measurements align with established brachial BP classifications.

Main Methods:

  • Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid artery augmentation index (AI), and carotid blood pressures were measured in 580 hypertensive subjects.
  • Applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis were used for central BP measurements.
  • Brachial BP was used for calibrating the carotid pressure wave.

Main Results:

  • Central systolic BP and pulse pressure were lower than brachial values.
  • Pressure amplification differences were observed between lower and higher brachial BP ranges, influenced by heart rate (HR) and PWV.
  • PWV increased with brachial BP classification and predicted it independently of other factors, serving as a sensitive marker for BP control.

Conclusions:

  • Central BP does not strictly parallel brachial BP classification in treated hypertensive patients due to aortic stiffness and HR.
  • Aortic PWV may predict brachial BP classification and effective BP control.
  • Further studies are needed to confirm the predictive value of aortic PWV.
Abstract

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