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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
05:51
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Can arterial stiffness parameters be measured in the sitting position?
Jens Nürnberger1, Rene Michalski, Tobias R Türk
1Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, HELIOS Kliniken Schwerin, Wismarsche Straße, Schwerin, Germany. jens.nuernberger@uni-due.de
Summary
Arterial stiffness measurements like pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) can be reliably performed in a sitting position, similar to blood pressure checks. This study found good agreement between sitting and supine measurements across multiple devices.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Arterial stiffness parameters, including pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI), are recommended but not routinely used in clinical practice.
- Measuring arterial stiffness in a sitting position, analogous to routine blood pressure measurement, could enhance clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate differences in arterial stiffness parameters (PWV and AI) when measured in sitting versus supine positions.
- To assess the reliability of arterial stiffness measurements in the sitting position using multiple devices.
Main Methods:
- Arterial stiffness was measured in 24 healthy volunteers and 20 cardiovascular disease patients using SphygmoCor, Arteriograph, and Vascular Explorer devices.
- Three measurements were taken in the supine position, followed by three in the sitting position for each participant and device.
- Data were analyzed using correlation and Bland-Altman analysis to compare supine and sitting measurements.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were observed between supine and sitting measurements for both PWV (r=0.93 to 0.87) and AI (r=0.96 to 0.98) across devices.
- Bland-Altman analysis indicated good agreement between PWV and AI measurements in supine versus sitting positions.
- No significant difference in PWV was found between the three devices, but AI varied significantly between Arteriograph and the other two devices.
Conclusions:
- Arterial stiffness parameters, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI), can be reliably measured in the sitting position.
- The findings suggest that measurements in the sitting position demonstrate good agreement with traditional supine measurements, facilitating easier clinical integration.
- Standardizing measurements in the sitting position could improve the routine adoption of arterial stiffness assessment in cardiovascular care.
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