The Method of Distance Measurement and Torso Length Influences the Relationship of Pulse Wave Velocity to Cardiovascular Mortality

Abstract

PWV calculated using suprasternal notch-to-femoral distance minus suprasternal notch-to-carotid distance provides the strongest relationship to cardiovascular mortality. Longer torso weakens the predictive value of PWV, possibly due to more tortuosity of the aorta hence, more error introduced when using surface tape measurements.