Via practica 4/2009

Measurement of arterial stiffness

In introduction author underlines importance of the measurement of arterial stiffness especially in patients with essential hypertension and in subclinical diagnostic of atherosclerosis. Main terms and principles as the base of application of different examination methods are briefly explained. The paper focuses on description of main methods and interpretation of obtained results in different clinic situations. In conclusion author suggests that the methods of subclinical diagnostic of atherosclerosis including measurement of arterial stiffness would be increasingly used in assessment of cardiovascular risk and in treatment of hypertension in the future. The examination of classic risk factors would not be satisfactory for the assessment of cardiovascular risk in individual patients nor yet for the individualization of therapy.

Keywords: arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity measurement, augmentation index, central aortic pressure, subclinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis