Reference values of aortic pulse wave velocity in the elderly

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) is a key indicator of cardiovascular health and a predictor of mortality.
• Establishing definitive reference values for AoPWV in elderly populations is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.
• Current guidelines lack universally accepted normal limits for AoPWV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine and define reference values for aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) in individuals aged 60-75 years.
• To provide a benchmark for identifying normal, borderline, and elevated AoPWV in the elderly population.
• To support improved cardiovascular risk stratification in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) was measured using applanation tonometry with a PulsePen device.
• The study included 455 ambulatory individuals aged 60-75, divided into a reference-values group (RVG) and a hypertension-diabetes group (HDG).
• The 95th percentile of AoPWV in the RVG was used to establish the upper limit of normal values.

Main Results:

• Mean AoPWV was significantly higher in the hypertension-diabetes group (10.2±2.5 m/s) compared to the reference-values group (8.7±2.3 m/s).
• In the reference-values group, median AoPWV showed no significant difference across age subgroups (60-64, 65-69, 70-75 years).
• The 95th percentile upper limit for AoPWV in the reference-values group was determined to be 13 m/s, with no sex-based differences.

Conclusions:

• An aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) below 10 m/s is considered normal in elderly individuals aged 60-75.
• AoPWV values between 10-13 m/s are classified as 'high normal' or 'borderline'.
• An AoPWV exceeding 13 m/s is indicative of significantly elevated velocity, aiding in the clinical assessment of cardiovascular health in the elderly.