PWv

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of the speed at which the arterial pulse propagates through the circulatory system. It serves as an index of arterial stiffness: stiffer arteries transmit the pulse more rapidly, yielding higher PWV values. PWV is typically calculated as PWV = distance / transit time, where distance is the arterial path between two measurement sites and transit time is the delay between corresponding waveform features.

Measurement methods vary. Carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) is considered the gold standard for assessing central arterial stiffness, while brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) and other regional variants are also used in clinical and research settings. Noninvasive devices employ tonometry, Doppler ultrasound, or oscillometric sensors to capture waveforms from multiple sites and estimate transit time and distance. Accurate results depend on consistent technique and careful distance estimation along the arterial path.

Clinical relevance is substantial: PWV is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality beyond traditional risk factors. It tends to rise with age and with hypertension, reflecting cumulative arterial remodeling. Measurements are influenced by blood pressure and heart rate at the time of assessment, as well as device and operator factors.

Normal values vary by age and measurement method. In healthy adults, cfPWV commonly falls in the range of about 6 to 9 m/s, with higher values associated with greater risk. A commonly used threshold for elevated arterial stiffness is around 10 m/s, but normative data are population- and method-dependent. PWV is used in some risk assessments and in monitoring antihypertensive therapy and interventions aimed at improving arterial compliance.