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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Carotid arterial stiffness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Adriana Albu1, D Fodor, C Bondor
1University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Internal Medicine II Cluj-Napoca, Romania. adriana.albu@umfcluj.ro
Insights
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit increased carotid arterial stiffness, a key cardiovascular risk marker. This arterial stiffness is more pronounced in severe COPD cases, highlighting a significant link between lung disease severity and vascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Cardiac disease causes approximately 50% of deaths in COPD patients.
- Arterial stiffness is a recognized marker of cardiovascular risk and predictor of adverse outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate carotid arterial stiffness parameters in patients with stable COPD.
- To compare carotid arterial stiffness between COPD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 38 COPD patients and 36 matched controls were enrolled.
- Clinical history and spirometry were performed for all subjects.
- Carotid arterial stiffness parameters (beta stiffness index, arterial compliance, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index) were measured using ultrasound.
Main Results:
- COPD patients demonstrated significantly increased markers of carotid arterial stiffness compared to controls.
- No significant differences in classical cardiovascular risk factors were observed, except for smoking history.
- Severe COPD was associated with greater increases in beta stiffness index and pulse wave velocity compared to mild and moderate disease.
Conclusions:
- Patients with COPD exhibit elevated carotid arterial stiffness.
- The degree of arterial stiffness appears more significant in severe forms of COPD compared to milder or moderate disease.
Background:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.Patients with COPD have a cardiovascular risk three times greater than the normal population and cardiac disease accounts for about 50% of deaths in these patients. Arterial stiffness is a marker of increased cardiovascular risk and a predictor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is evidence of increased aortic stiffness in COPD. The aim of our study is to determine parameters of carotid arterial stiffness in patients with stable COPD.
Patients And Methods:
We enrolled 38 patients with COPD and 36 matched controls. All subjects were evaluated by clinical history and spirometry; parameters of carotid stiffness (beta stiffness index - 13 stiffness index, arterial compliance - AC, pulse wave velocity - PWV, augmentation index - AIx) were determined using an ultrasound device (ALOKA ProSound a 10).
Results:
Patients with COPD have increased markers of arterial stiffness compared to controls (B stiffness index,p=0.03; AC, p=0.002; carotid PWV, p<0.001; Alx, p<0.001). There were no differences between the two groups regarding the classical cardiovascular risk factors with the exception of smoking history. Patients with severe pulmonary disease had more increased 13 stiffness index and PWV than those with mild and moderate disease(p=0.03, respectively p=0.004).
Conclusions:
Patients with COPD had increased carotid arterial stiffness. In severe forms of COPD, arterial stiffness seems to be more important than in mild and moderate pulmonary disease.
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