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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
05:51
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Arterial stiffness parameters during six-month antihypertensive therapy: a prospective observational study
Almin Handanagic1, Sekib Sokolovic2,3, Ekrema Mujaric4
1Cantonal Hospital Bihać, Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Summary
Hypertension treatment lowered blood pressure but minimally impacted arterial stiffness. Combined therapies, especially with statins, showed the best results for reducing pulse wave velocity and augmentation index in Bosnian patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is a significant indicator of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.
- Understanding the prevalence of arterial stiffness in Bosnia and Herzegovina is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Existing antihypertensive therapies' effects on arterial stiffness require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of arterial stiffness in hypertensive individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- To evaluate the impact of diverse antihypertensive treatment regimens on arterial stiffness markers.
- To identify predictors of arterial stiffness reduction in response to therapy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, open-label study involving 200 hypertensive patients followed for six months.
- Evaluation of thirteen different antihypertensive treatment combinations.
- Measurement of blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index (AIx).
Main Results:
- Six months of antihypertensive treatment significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Minimal changes were observed in pulse wave velocity (PWV), while augmentation index (AIx) showed improvement.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors combined with statins yielded the greatest PWV reduction; comprehensive therapy including ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, and statins led to the largest AIx reduction.
- Baseline systolic blood pressure was a weak predictor of PWV reduction.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina exhibit a high prevalence of increased arterial stiffness, correlating with elevated cardiovascular risk.
- Routine assessment of arterial stiffness, in addition to blood pressure monitoring, can enhance cardiovascular risk stratification.
- Individualized hypertension management strategies incorporating arterial stiffness assessment may lead to more effective patient outcomes.
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