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Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Is Arterial Stiffness a Determinant of Hypotension?
Valentina Rovella1, Marco Gabriele2, Eleonora Sali3
1Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Introduction:
Previous observation identified both hypotension and arterial aging, indexed as Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), as significant determinants of cognitive decline in older subjects.
Aim:
To investigate the role of PWV as a determinant of hypotension in older patients.
Methods:
A cohort of 344 subjects came to our Outpatient Clinic, free of cancer, acute myocardial infarction or stroke, atrial fibrillation, renal, hepatic or cardiac failure, secondary hypertension, or thyroid disease.
Results:
Hypotension occurred in 49% of participants. SBP levels (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.84, p < 0.01), PWV (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.94, p < 0.01), and use of beta-blockers (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.09-5.36, p < 0.05), were independent determinants of the risk of hypotension.
Conclusions:
Hypotension is a quite common phenomenon in older subjects. Its prevention requires a more accurate management of hypertension aimed at better identifying which older subjects in whom intensive BP control may be harmful and those who may benefit from it.
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