The carotid-toe pulse wave velocity (PWV) increases more with age than the carotid-radial PWV. This is due to the reduction of elasticity in central arteries; the PWV of these arteries is included in the carotid-toe measurement but not the carotid-radial measurement.
First of all, the propagative model of the circulatory system is used when examining PWV. This model consists of distensible arteries that end with resistance vessels, whose distributed elastic properties allow the generation of a pressure wave that travels along the artery1. The propagation of a pressure wave is inversely related to the distensibility of the artery1. In younger subjects, peripheral arteries are stiffer than central arteries1,2. In stiffer vessels, pressure waves are reflected, creating retrograde waves1. Retrograde waves are also generated at the peripheral …show more content…
In younger subjects, arterial stiffness increases from central to peripheral arteries. However, the stiffness of central arteries such as the carotid and aortic arteries, increase with age1,2,3; peripheral arteries such as the radial and femoral arteries, stiffen little with age1,3. In younger subjects, retrograde waves travel back to the heart arrive during diastole1. As subjects age, the retrograde waves arrive at the heart during systole (which increases systolic pressure)1, since they are travelling faster in the stiffened central arteries.
Once this is known, it can be seen why carotid-toe PWV increases more with age, than carotid-radial PWV. Elasticity remains relatively constant in the upper limb1, where carotid-radial PWV is measured. On the other hand, elasticity decreases in the carotid, aortic, and larger arteries- all of these vessels are along the track where carotid-toe PWV is measured. Therefore, the carotid-toe PWV reflects the increase in arterial stiffness with age, that carotid-radial PWV does
First of all, the propagative model of the circulatory system is used when examining PWV. This model consists of distensible arteries that end with resistance vessels, whose distributed elastic properties allow the generation of a pressure wave that travels along the artery1. The propagation of a pressure wave is inversely related to the distensibility of the artery1. In younger subjects, peripheral arteries are stiffer than central arteries1,2. In stiffer vessels, pressure waves are reflected, creating retrograde waves1. Retrograde waves are also generated at the peripheral …show more content…
In younger subjects, arterial stiffness increases from central to peripheral arteries. However, the stiffness of central arteries such as the carotid and aortic arteries, increase with age1,2,3; peripheral arteries such as the radial and femoral arteries, stiffen little with age1,3. In younger subjects, retrograde waves travel back to the heart arrive during diastole1. As subjects age, the retrograde waves arrive at the heart during systole (which increases systolic pressure)1, since they are travelling faster in the stiffened central arteries.
Once this is known, it can be seen why carotid-toe PWV increases more with age, than carotid-radial PWV. Elasticity remains relatively constant in the upper limb1, where carotid-radial PWV is measured. On the other hand, elasticity decreases in the carotid, aortic, and larger arteries- all of these vessels are along the track where carotid-toe PWV is measured. Therefore, the carotid-toe PWV reflects the increase in arterial stiffness with age, that carotid-radial PWV does