What is artery stiffness?

What is artery stiffness?

Arterial stiffness describes the rigidity of the arterial wall. In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of arterial stiffening in the development of cardiovascular disease in adults.

How is arterial stiffness diagnosed?

In clinical practice, PWV is most commonly calculated as PWV=ΔL/ΔT, with ΔL the distance between 2 measuring sites, and ΔT the time it takes for the arterial pulse to travel from the proximal to the distal measuring site.

What does pulse wave analysis measure?

Pulse pressure wave analysis allows calculation of the speed of the pulse (PWV) and ‘augmentation’ of the pulse pressure in the ascending aorta (AIx), both of these measures are related to vascular stiffness, a key component of atherosclerosis.

How do you assess arterial wall elasticity?

The first techniques, developed to evaluate arterial stiffness, use indirect measurements such as pulse wave velocity or the analysis of variations in pressure and volume to estimate arterial wall stiffness.

How do you stop arterial stiffness?

Aerobic exercise reduces arterial stiffness in young, healthy individuals.

How does arterial stiffness affect pulse pressure?

The result of these changes is stiffening of the arteries and consequent increase in pulse‐wave velocity (PWV), which is used to assess arterial stiffness. Increased arterial stiffness can cause isolated systolic hypertension, which increases pulse pressure (PP).

What is the relationship between the ECG and the pulse wave?

An example of an ECG machine Page 9 The classical sharp peak of the ECG is termed the QRS complex. This shows the electrical impulse moving very rapidly through the AV node to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump the blood out of the heart to form the pulse.

How do you reverse arterial stiffness?

In addition, some anti-hypertensive medications (i.e., angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor I antagonist) are shown to reduce arterial stiffness significantly [12]. Thus, arterial stiffness associated with some medical conditions can be reversed by life style change or treatment.

How do you treat arterial stiffness?

A number of lifestyle changes and therapies that reduce arterial stiffness are presented, including weight loss, exercise, salt reduction, alcohol consumption, and neuroendocrine-directed therapies, such as those targeting the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system, natriuretic peptides, insulin modulators, as well as …

What is pulse wave analysis?

Pulse wave analysis (PWA) is a technique that allows the accurate recording of peripheral pressure waveforms and generation of the corresponding central waveform, from which the augmentation index and central pressure can be derived. In clinical studies, we have shown that PWA is a highly reproducible technique and easy to apply.

How to measure arterial stiffness in humans?

Arterial Pressure

  • Arteries/diagnostic imaging*
  • Arteries/physiopathology
  • Blood Pressure Determination*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases/physiopathology
  • Elasticity
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • What is pulse wave velocity?

    Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the velocity at which the blood pressure pulse propagates through the circulatory system, usually an artery or a combined length of arteries. PWV is used clinically as a measure of arterial stiffness and can be readily measured non-invasively in humans, with measurement of carotid to femoral PWV (cfPWV) being the recommended method.