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Updated: Jul 25, 2025

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

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Arterial stiffness and its influence on cerebral morphology and cognitive function

Melanie Haidegger1, Simon Lindenbeck1, Edith Hofer1,2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders
|June 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is linked to reduced brain volume in older adults. Night-time PWV is particularly associated with brain atrophy, highlighting its importance in cerebrovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness, assessed via pulse wave velocity (PWV), is increasingly linked to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), brain atrophy, and vascular dementia.
  • Circadian blood pressure fluctuations are known determinants of end-organ damage, yet the role of 24-hour PWV variability remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between arterial stiffness (PWV) and its circadian changes with brain morphology and cognitive function in community-dwelling individuals.
  • To determine if PWV or its variability impacts brain structure and cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, community-based follow-up study of 84 elderly participants from the Austrian Stroke Prevention Family Study.
  • Ambulatory 24-hour PWV measurement, 3-Tesla MRI for white matter hyperintensity and brain volume assessment.
  • Neuropsychological testing battery for cognitive function evaluation in a subgroup.

Main Results:

  • Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was significantly associated with reduced total brain volume, independent of blood pressure and its variability (p=0.013).
  • No association was found between PWV and markers of cerebral SVD or cognitive impairment.
  • Night-time PWV values showed a significant association with global brain atrophy (p=0.005).

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness is related to reduced total brain volume in community-dwelling elderly individuals.
  • Elevated night-time PWV is more critical than day-time measures for brain atrophy.
  • Circadian variations in arterial stiffness may play a significant role in brain health and aging.
Abstract

Keywords:
arterial stiffnessbrain atrophycerebral small vessel diseasecognitive functionpulse wave velocity

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