Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
05:51

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

Published on: May 3, 2018

17.8K

Cross-sectional relations of arterial stiffness, pressure pulsatility, wave reflection, and arterial calcification

Connie W Tsao1, Karol M Pencina2, Joseph M Massaro2

  • 1From the Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.W.T.); Departments of Biostatistics (K.M.P., J.M.M.) and Epidemiology (E.J.B.), School of Public Health, and Department of Medicine, Sections of Cardiology and Preventative Medicine (E.J.B., R.S.V.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD (D.L.); The Framingham Heart Study, MA (C.W.T., E.J.B., D.L., R.S.V., C.J.O.); Division of Intramural Research, NHLBI, Bethesda, MD (C.W.T., C.J.O.); Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (C.J.O.) and Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Cardiovascular Engineering Inc, Norwood, MA (G.F.M.). ctsao1@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|August 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness and pressure pulsatility are linked to vascular calcification, even in younger adults without cardiovascular disease. These hemodynamic abnormalities appear earlier than previously thought, suggesting potential bidirectional mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Arterial hemodynamics and vascular calcification are key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
  • The precise relationship between hemodynamic parameters and arterial calcification is not fully understood.
  • Investigating these associations in individuals without prevalent cardiovascular disease is crucial for early risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between arterial stiffness, pressure pulsatility, and wave reflection with arterial calcification.
  • To examine these relationships in individuals free of prevalent cardiovascular disease.
  • To determine if these associations are present at younger ages than previously recognized.

Main Methods:

  • Applanation tonometry was used to measure arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), pressure pulsatility (central pulse pressure), and wave reflection (forward wave amplitude, augmentation index).
  • Multidetector computed tomography assessed thoracic aortic calcification, abdominal aortic calcification, and coronary artery calcification.
  • Multivariable-adjusted models were used to analyze associations in participants from the Framingham Heart Study Third Generation and Offspring Cohorts.

Main Results:

  • Higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and central pulse pressure were associated with increased thoracic and abdominal aortic calcification.
  • Higher augmentation index correlated with abdominal aortic calcification.
  • Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was the strongest correlate across all calcification measures, with significant associations observed even in younger participants.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal central arterial hemodynamics are positively associated with vascular calcification in community-dwelling individuals without cardiovascular disease.
  • These hemodynamic abnormalities and their link to calcification are evident at younger ages than previously recognized.
  • The bidirectional nature of these associations warrants further investigation into underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

Keywords:
hemodynamicsvascular calcificationvascular stiffness

More Related Videos

Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging06:08

Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Published on: February 7, 2014

16.8K
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

1.7K

Related Concept Videos

Pulse01:16

Pulse

When the heart pumps blood out, arterial elastic fibers play a crucial role in sustaining a high-pressure gradient. They expand to accommodate the received blood and then recoil - a process known as the pulse that can be either manually palpated or electronically quantified. Despite a reduction in its effect with increased distance from the heart, elements of the pulse's systolic and diastolic components persist, observable even at the arteriole level.
The pulse serves as a clinical...
2.5K
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
866
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
755
Sites for measuring blood pressure01:21

Sites for measuring blood pressure

Blood pressure measurement is a fundamental clinical procedure, providing crucial data for assessing cardiovascular health. Among the various sites for this measurement, the brachial and popliteal arteries are predominantly utilized due to their accessibility and the reliability of their readings. This lesson delves into the anatomical significance, methodology, and considerations of measuring blood pressure at these locations.
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
3.9K
Pulse amplitude and quality01:17

Pulse amplitude and quality

Pulse amplitude is a crucial indicator of cardiac health because it provides valuable insights into the strength of left ventricular contractions and the overall uniformity of blood circulation within the vasculature. The strength of the pulse is directly related to the force with which the heart contracts and the volume of blood being pumped.
A weak or absent pulse may indicate reduced cardiac output or poor left ventricular contraction, which can be signs of cardiovascular dysfunction or...
3.6K
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
654