Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy
10:35

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2016

10.8K

Arterial stiffness: A brief review

Jen-Pi Tsai1,2, Bang-Gee Hsu1,3

  • 1School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.

Tzu Chi Medical Journal
|April 29, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness (AS) predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Understanding AS risk factors, measurement, and treatments is crucial for managing CVD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • CKD patients exhibit high CVD prevalence, with AS identified as a significant non-traditional risk factor contributing to this elevated risk.
  • Mechanisms underlying AS development include oxidative stress, inflammation, uremic toxins, vascular calcification, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the risk factors, measurement techniques, and treatment options for arterial stiffness.
  • To highlight the association between arterial stiffness and cardiovascular disease in the context of chronic kidney disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on arterial stiffness, its risk factors, and measurement methods.
  • Focus on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity as the reference standard for AS measurement.
  • Discussion of current therapeutic interventions for AS progression.

Main Results:

  • Arterial stiffness is linked to multiple diseases, aging, and significantly predicts CVD outcomes, particularly in CKD.
  • Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is the established reference method for quantifying AS and correlates with long-term CVD events.
  • Current medical treatments for AS progression demonstrate modest beneficial effects.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness is a critical factor in cardiovascular risk assessment, especially for individuals with chronic kidney disease.
  • Accurate measurement of AS using methods like pulse wave velocity is essential for predicting cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Further research into effective treatments for arterial stiffness is warranted to mitigate cardiovascular risk in affected populations.

Keywords:
Arterial stiffnessCardiovascular diseaseChronic kidney diseasePulse wave velocity

More Related Videos

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound10:08

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound

Published on: December 2, 2014

16.2K
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness05:51

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

Published on: May 3, 2018

17.9K

Related Concept Videos

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...
133
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...
121
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)...
133
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)01:23

Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)

Measuring blood pressure is a fundamental skill in healthcare that aids in diagnosing and monitoring hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. An aneroid sphygmomanometer, commonly used in clinical settings, offers a manual and precise method for blood pressure measurement. The technique for using this instrument involves specific steps that must be carefully executed to ensure accuracy. The following detailed description outlines a two-step technique for assessing blood pressure using...
1.1K
Autoregulation of Blood Flow01:17

Autoregulation of Blood Flow

Autoregulation mechanisms are characterized by their inherent capacity for self-regulation without necessitating specific nervous stimulation or endocrine control. These mechanisms facilitate the adjustment of blood flow and, therefore, perfusion specific to each tissue region. This self-regulation encompasses chemical signals and myogenic controls.
Chemical Signaling in Autoregulation
Chemical signaling operates at the precapillary sphincter level, inciting either contraction or relaxation....
6.8K
Arteries of Lower Limbs01:20

Arteries of Lower Limbs

The external iliac artery transitions out of the body cavity, entering the femoral region of the lower leg, and is renamed the femoral artery at the point where it traverses the body wall. This artery is responsible for the distribution of blood to the thigh's deep muscles and the skin's ventral and lateral regions, achieved through several minor branches and the lateral deep femoral artery, which also spawns a lateral circumflex artery. The knee area receives blood from the genicular...
3.1K