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Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
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Pulse wave velocity as a marker of severity of coronary artery disease

Ahmed Yahya Alarhabi1, Mohd Sapawi Mohamed, Suhairi Ibrahim

  • 1Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. ahmadalarhabi@yahoo.com

Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.)
|January 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness, is significantly higher in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding suggests PWV is a valuable cardiovascular risk marker.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness is increasingly recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular events.
  • Measuring arterial stiffness may offer insights into subclinical atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To evaluate PWV as a potential marker for arterial stiffness in patients with suspected CAD.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 92 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
  • Arterial stiffness was quantified using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured by an automated device.

Main Results:

  • Patients with CAD exhibited significantly higher mean PWV compared to those without CAD (11.13±0.91 vs 8.14±1.25 m/sec; P<.001).
  • A significant association was observed between the severity of CAD (1-, 2-, or multiple-vessel disease) and PWV.
  • PWV remained significantly different across CAD severity categories after controlling for age and total cholesterol.
  • Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with increased PWV in univariable analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness, as measured by PWV, is an independent cardiovascular risk marker.
  • PWV serves as a complementary tool for assessing cardiovascular risk in patients with suspected CAD.

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