Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV): Explanation and Clinical Context Pulse Wave Velocity is a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness and a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality.
It reflects the speed at which the blood pressure pulse propagates through the arterial tree, with higher values indicating stiffer arteries.
Clinical assessment of PWV provides early detection of vascular aging and helps stratify cardiovascular risk in both hypertensive and general populations.
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and age are key determinants of PWV; the formula used here is based on validated regression models derived from large cohort studies.
A PWV <10 m/s is generally considered normal, whereas values >10 m/s indicate increased arterial stiffness and elevated cardiovascular risk.
Reference:
Vlachopoulos C, Aznaouridis K, Stefanadis C. Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with arterial stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55:1318-1327. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2009.10.061