Clinical appraisal of arterial stiffness: the Argonauts in front of the Golden Fleece

• Published in: Heart (British Cardiac Society) Vol. 92; no. 11; pp. 1544 - 1550
• Main Authors: Vlachopoulos, C, Aznaouridis, K, Stefanadis, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society 01-11-2006; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Aging; Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial; Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use; Arteries - physiology; ASCOT; Biological and medical sciences; Blood pressure; Blood Pressure - physiology; CAD; Cardiology. Vascular system; cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Collagen; coronary artery disease; Coronary vessels; Diet; Elasticity; Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation; Heart Review; HOPE; Humans; Hypertension; LIFE; Life Style; Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension; Medical sciences; Mortality; Prognosis; Smooth muscle; Studies; Vascular Resistance - physiology; Stiffness; Circulatory system; Cardiology; Phlebology; Artery
• ISSN: 1355-6037; 1468-201X
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2005.067025

Interest in evaluating arterial elastic properties has grown in parallel with the widespread availability of non-invasive methods for assessing arterial stiffness. A clinically useful diagnostic index must be pathophysiologically relevant, must be readily measurable, and must indicate the severity of the disease and predict the corresponding risk. Interventional modification of this index must parallel disease regression and benefit prognosis. The current evidence for the clinical value of estimating arterial stiffness (mainly of large, elastic-type arteries, such as the aorta and the carotids) in the contemporary era of cardiovascular medicine is reviewed.