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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
05:51
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Arterial stiffness, its assessment, prognostic value, and implications for treatment
Audrey Adji1, Michael F O'Rourke, Mayooran Namasivayam
1St. Vincent's Clinic, Sydney, Australia.
American Journal of Hypertension
|October 14, 2010
Summary
Arterial stiffness, a key cardiovascular risk indicator, is now reliably measured noninvasively. Understanding and treating arterial stiffening offers superior outcomes compared to general blood pressure reduction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Arterial stiffness recognized as cardiovascular risk since the 19th century.
- Accurate measurement and clinical utility are recent developments.
- Arterial stiffness and hemodynamic consequences predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review noninvasive techniques for measuring arterial stiffness.
- To elucidate the hemodynamic consequences of arterial stiffening.
- To discuss treatment options targeting arterial stiffening.
Main Methods:
- Noninvasive techniques based on cardiovascular pulsatility.
- Measurement of pulse travel time and wave reflection magnitude.
- Assessment of effects on large arteries, left ventricle, and small organ arteries.
Main Results:
- Arterial stiffness is a reliable predictor of cardiovascular events.
- Noninvasive techniques are easily and reliably performed.
- Targeted therapies show clinical superiority over arbitrary blood pressure reduction.
Conclusions:
- Arterial stiffness measurement will be integral to future cardiovascular assessment.
- Targeted treatments, including ACE inhibitors and ARBs, are optimal.
- Increased awareness of arterial stiffness is crucial for clinical practice.
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