Review paper
Arterial stiffness as a new marker for cardiovascular disease

Arterial stiffness and wave reflections phenomenon are now regarded as the most important factors determining the increase in systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in aging societies. Evaluation of arterial stiffness began to be regarded as a surrogate endpoint of cardio-vascular events. The gold standard measurement of arterial stiffness is to assess the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), which can serve as a tool to estimate subclinical organ damage. Assuming that cfPWV may also affect the peripheral waveform suggests that the peripheral waveform analysis can be used indirectly to assess the stiffness of large arteries. Increased arterial stiffness is associated with age (change in the vascular wall-to reduce the amount of elastic fibers), and arterial hypertension. Increased arterial stiffness is also observed in patients with renal failure or diabetes, which may involve a change in the structural and mechanical properties of arteries in these diseases.