Expert consensus document on the measurement of aortic stiffness in daily practice using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity

TLDR

Stiffness of the aorta predicts cardiovascular risk, and carotid‑femoral pulse wave velocity—considered the gold standard for arterial stiffness assessment—requires standardization of measurement procedures, particularly distance estimation. The consensus document recommends standardized measurement procedures, advocating the use of 80 % of the direct carotid‑femoral distance as the most accurate estimate. It also proposes 10 m/s as the new cut‑off value for carotid‑femoral pulse wave velocity.

Abstract

Stiffness of elastic arteries like the aorta predicts cardiovascular risk. By directly reflecting arterial stiffness, having the best predictive value for cardiovascular outcome and the ease of its measurement, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is now considered the gold standard for arterial stiffness assessment in daily practice. Many different measurement procedures have been proposed. Therefore, standardization of its measurement is urgently needed, particularly regarding the distance measurement. This consensus document advises on the measurement procedures in general and provides arguments for the use of 80% of the direct carotid-femoral distance as the most accurate distance estimate. It also advises the use of 10 m/s as new cut-off value for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity.