Reference Values of Pulse Wave Velocity in South America: A Call to Action

The measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a wellknown technique currently considered the gold standard of arterial stiffness quantification due to its simplicity, accuracy, reproducibility, and predictive value [1]. Recently, the guidelines from the European Society of Hypertension confirmed the PWV as a marker of organ damage having better cardiovascular predictive value, greater reproducibility and acceptable costeffectiveness relationship [2]. Contemporary guidelines pointed out that values of carotid-femoral PWV > 10 m/s (corrected distance x 0.8) should be considered beyond the physiological range emphasizing the relevance of identifying changes in PWV as a prognostic factor and an early marker of vascular stiffness [2]. However, the lack of appropriate hardware in the clinical setting limits a wide utilization of this technique.