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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Association of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and carotid plaque in Chinese hypertensive adults: effect
Zhihao Liu1, Ying Yang1, Yan Zhang1
1Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034, Beijing, China.
Insights
Increased arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is linked to more carotid plaques in hypertensive Chinese adults. This association is stronger in younger individuals, suggesting baPWV is a valuable marker for cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is a key indicator of cardiovascular risk.
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular events.
- Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the presence and number of carotid plaques.
- To explore potential interactions and subgroup differences in this association within a Chinese hypertensive population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 13,554 hypertensive subjects in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).
- Assessed arterial stiffness using baPWV and carotid plaque burden via B-mode ultrasonography.
- Employed multivariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses, including subgroup analyses to examine interactions.
Main Results:
- Continuous baPWV showed a positive correlation with both carotid plaque presence (OR=1.05) and number (ORs ranging from 1.04 to 1.09).
- A dose-dependent relationship was observed, with higher baPWV quartiles correlating with increased plaque counts.
- The association between baPWV and carotid plaque presence was significantly stronger in younger participants (P for interaction <0.001).
Conclusions:
- Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is positively associated with carotid plaque presence and number in Chinese hypertensive individuals.
- baPWV serves as a valuable biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.
- The stronger association in younger individuals highlights the importance of early detection and management of arterial stiffness.
Abstract:
We aimed to investigate the association of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with carotid plaque presence and carotid plaque number in a Chinese hypertensive population. A total of 13,554 hypertensive subjects from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were recruited. Arterial stiffness and carotid plaque were evaluated by baPWV and B-mode ultrasonography, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation of baPWV and carotid plaque presence. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation of baPWV and carotid plaque number. Further interactions between baPWV and carotid plaque presence were examined using subgroup analysis. Continuous baPWV was positively correlated with carotid plaque presence (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07) and carotid plaque number (one- to two-plaque group: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06; three-or-more-plaque group: OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.07-1.12). When baPWV was classified into quartiles, with the lowest quartile as reference, the ORs for having one, two, or three or more plaques increased in parallel with the quartiles of baPWV, indicating a dose-dependent effect. In a subgroup analysis, the association of baPWV and carotid plaque presence was more pronounced among younger participants (OR: 1.14 vs. 1.06 and 1.03 for the age groups <60 years, 60 ≤ 70 years, and ≥70 years, respectively, P for interaction <0.001). In a Chinese hypertensive population, baPWV was positively associated with carotid plaque presence and carotid plaque number. A more pronounced positive association between baPWV and carotid plaque presence was observed in younger participants.
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