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Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
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Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

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Arterial Stiffness and Wave Reflection: Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Risk

Gary F Mitchell1

  • 1Cardiovascular Engineering, Inc. Norwood, MA.

Artery Research
|February 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness, a key cardiovascular disease risk factor, worsens with age and conditions like hypertension. This stiffening affects large arteries, increasing pulsatile stress and potentially damaging organs like the brain and kidneys.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Vascular Biology
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness and excessive pressure pulsatility are significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
  • Stiffness increases with age and traditional CVD risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders).
  • Pathologic stiffening primarily affects elastic arteries (aorta, carotids), with limited changes in muscular arteries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on risk factors for large artery stiffening.
  • To summarize the adverse effects of large artery stiffening.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on arterial stiffness.
  • Analysis of risk factors contributing to arterial stiffening.
  • Evaluation of the consequences of increased arterial stiffness.

Main Results:

  • Aortic stiffening correlates with increased pulse wave velocity and pulse pressure.
  • Increased pulsatile energy content stresses the heart, large arteries, and distal circulation.
  • Large artery stiffening is linked to microvascular abnormalities, potentially causing tissue damage in organs like the brain and kidneys.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness is a critical, age- and risk-factor-driven process.
  • Increased pulsatile stress from stiff arteries has widespread adverse effects.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk and organ protection.

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