Pulse wave velocity
The pulse wave velocity (. Engl pulse wave velocity, in short: PWV) is the speed at which the pressure wave , the arteries of the organism passes. This speed is higher than the blood flow speed .
The pulse wave speed varies due to the different wall structure of the arteries. In the aorta it is 4 to 6 m / s due to the elasticity of this blood vessel. In the periphery, e.g. B. the extremities , it increases due to the relatively rigid vessel walls (increase in the modulus of elasticity ) and the smaller lumens with a simultaneous increase in wall thickness to values between 8 and 12 m / s. Through remodeling processes during aging , v. a. In elastic arteries such as the aorta, elastic connective tissue is replaced by collagenous connective tissue , a process that also results in an increased pulse wave velocity. In the case of arteriosclerosis , the pulse wave speed is also increased due to the deposition of substances on the walls of the blood vessels and the associated loss of elasticity.
The measurement of the pulse wave speed can be due to the changes in the vascular system associated with pathological values. a. Statements about mortality in z. B. diabetes mellitus or end- stage renal failure and also help to assess general cardiovascular risk factors. The pulse wave transit time can be calculated with the pulse wave velocity .
Individual evidence
- ^ Cruickshank K. et al .: Aortic pulse-wave velocity and its relationship to mortality in diabetes and glucose intolerance: an integrated index of vascular function? Circulation (2002) PMID 12379578
- ↑ Blacher J. et al .: Impact of aortic stiffness on survival in end-stage renal disease. Circulation (1999) 105: 200-206. PMID 10318666
- ↑ Boutouyrie P. et al .: Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of primary coronary events in hypertensive patients: a longitudinal study. Hypertension (2002) PMID 11799071