Update on the Use of Pulse Wave Velocity to Measure Age-Related Vascular Changes

AbstractPurpose of ReviewPulse wave velocity (PWV) is an important and well-established measure of arterial  stiffness that is strongly associated with aging. Age-related alterations in the elastic properties and integrity of arterial walls can lead to cardiovascular disease. PWV measurements play an important role in the early detection of these changes, as well as other cardiovascular disease risk fa ctors, such as hypertension. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge of the effects of aging on arterial stiffness, as measured by PWV.Recent FindingsThis review highlights recent findings showing the applicability of PWV analysis for  investigating heart failure, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as cerebrovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. It also discusses the clinical implications of utilizing PWV to monitor treatment outcomes, various challenges in implementing PWV assessment in clinical p ractice, and the development of new technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, which may improve the usefulness of PWV measurements in the future.SummaryMeasuring arterial stiffness through PWV remains an important technique to study aging, especially  as the technology continues to evolve. There is a clear need to leverage PWV to identify interventions that mitigate age-related increases in PWV, potentially improving CVD outcomes and promoting healthy vascular aging.
Source: Current Hypertension Reports - Category: Primary Care Source Type: research