Abstract
Pulse wave velocity is obtained from the transit time of pulse wave and the distance between two measuring sites. It is considered the “gold standard” for assessment of arterial elastance and recognized as one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Augmentation index is the index of aortic pressure wave reflection and defined as the ratio of augmented ascending aortic pressure and pulse pressure (Ps – Pi) / (Ps – Pd) where Ps is the peak systolic pressure, Pi is the pressure at the reflection point, and Pd the is minimum diastolic pressure. The reflected pressure wave enhances the coronary perfusion in young people (slow pulse wave velocity). However, it interferes with the systemic ventricular ejection and increases workload of the systemic ventricle in elderly people (fast pulse wave velocity). In patients after aortic surgery, the augmentation index is high because the surgical procedure would make a new reflection point on the aorta.
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Murakami, T. (2017). Pulse Wave Velocity and Augmentation Index. In: Niwa, K., Kaemmerer, H. (eds) Aortopathy. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56071-5_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56071-5_7
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