Arterial stiffness index: A new evaluation for arterial stiffness in elderly patients with essential hypertension

Background: Arterial stiffness is one of the predictors of cardiovascular event. Arterial stiffness is commonly measured by pulse wave velocity between the carotid and femoral arteries. Recently the arterial stiffness index which is measured by computerized oscillometry at the upper arm was developed. As this procedure is a convenient means of measuring pulse wave velocity, we considered it suitable to evaluate arterial stiffness in elderly patients. We evaluated this arterial stiffness index and compared it with other methods of evaluating arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients, including the elderly.