Pulse wave velocity normal levels in a Uruguayan population: differences between 'adjusted' and measured values vary depending on age and the calculation algorithm used.

UNLABELLED: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) has emerged as the gold standard for non-invasive evaluation of aortic stiffness. However, the absence of standardized methodologies of study and lack of normal and references values have limited wider implementation of PWV in clinical practice. In this work normal PWV levels were determined in a Uruguayan population and the obtained values were analyzed taking into account data from other populations. The differences between the 'real' PWV levels and the PWV calculated using different wave detection algorithms and path lengths were assessed, and compared the taking into account the changes in PWV with aging.
RESULTS: The Uruguayan population showed a rate of PWV increase comparable to that reported previously in non-hypertensive European subjects, although overall, PWV values were approximately 2 m/s higher in the Uruguayan population. The different approaches used to calculate the PWV showed differences in their availability to follow aging-variations in 'adjusted' (or 'real') PWV.