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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Vascular access localization determines regional changes in arterial stiffness.
Edmundo I Cabrera Fischer1, Daniel Bia, Rodolfo Valtuille
1Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina and National Council of Technical and Scientific Research (CONICET) - 1078 Buenos Aires, Argentina. fischer@favaloro.edu.ar
Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) construction in hemodialysis patients may reduce arterial stiffness in the access arm. This study found lower pulse wave velocity (PWV) in AVF arms compared to non-fistula arms, suggesting a potential impact on vascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Nephrology
- Vascular surgery
Background:
- Vascular access (VA) dysfunction is a major cause of hospitalization for chronically hemodialyzed patients (CHP).
- Increased arterial stiffness is observed in patients with end-stage renal failure.
- Studies aim to reduce morbidity associated with VA construction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the carotid-brachial pathway with arteriovenous fistulae (AVF).
- To compare arterial stiffness between pathways with and without VA in CHP.
Main Methods:
- PWV measurements were taken in 38 CHP.
- PWV was assessed in the carotid-femoral and bilateral carotid-brachial pathways.
- Clinical and biochemical parameters were also recorded.
Main Results:
- Carotid-brachial PWV was significantly lower in arms with AVF (10.07 m/s) compared to contralateral arms without VA (11.55 m/s).
- In diabetic CHP, AVF arms showed lower PWV (8.00 m/s) than non-diabetic hemodialyzed patients (NDHP) (10.38 m/s).
- Carotid-femoral PWV was higher in diabetic patients (16.87 m/s) than NDHP (14.06 m/s).
Conclusions:
- Carotid-brachial PWV is significantly lower in upper limbs with AVF compared to intact arteries in the contralateral pathway of CHP.
- This finding suggests a potential modification of arterial properties post-AVF creation.
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