Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2025

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

Published on: May 3, 2018

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Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index as a Marker of Arterial Stiffness: Principles, Application, and Clinical Utility

Hamed Tavolinejad1,2, Bianca Pourmussa1,2, Julio A Chirinos1,2

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Current Hypertension Reviews
|July 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Large artery stiffness (LAS) is a key cardiovascular health marker. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) measures this stiffness, showing promise for predicting cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular physiology and medicine.

Background:

  • Large artery stiffness (LAS) is a critical determinant of cardiovascular health and an independent prognostic marker.
  • Routine assessment of LAS is not yet standard clinical practice.
  • Arterial stiffness measurements can be confounded by distending pressure (mean arterial pressure).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).
  • To discuss the definition, theoretical principles, practical considerations, strengths, limitations, and clinical utility of CAVI.
  • To highlight the need for further research on CAVI's prognostic value in primary prevention.

Main Methods:

  • The review synthesizes existing literature on CAVI.
  • It examines CAVI's theoretical basis and its measurement principles.
  • It discusses observational, longitudinal studies linking CAVI to cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Results:

  • CAVI is an index of arterial stiffness designed to reduce blood pressure dependence.
  • CAVI incorporates pulse wave velocity from heart to ankle, reflecting aortic and muscular artery stiffness.
  • Higher CAVI is associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality, particularly in Asian populations.

Conclusions:

  • CAVI offers a potential method for assessing arterial stiffness independent of blood pressure.
  • Further studies are needed to confirm CAVI's prognostic value in diverse populations for primary prevention.
  • Understanding CAVI's clinical utility is essential for its integration into practice.

Keywords:
CAVILASLarge artery stiffnessarterial wall stiffnesscardio-ankle vascular indexcardiovascular disease.

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