Arterial Stiffness as a Predictor of Future Cardiovascular Events: Methods of Measurement and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that arterial stiffness is an important predictor of cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is an innovative metric for gauging arterial stiffness at the point where the artery divides from the aorta and approaches the foot. CAVI's ability to provide accurate results regardless of the patient's blood pressure now of measurement is, without a doubt, its most valuable characteristic. CAVI is associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. It also rises with age and in many arteriosclerotic disorders, including coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. CAVI also increases in patients who have cerebrovascular disease. Controlling conditions such as hypertension and diabetes and quitting smoking may also reduce the risk of CAVI. This indicates that CAVI is a physiological surrogate measure of atherosclerosis, and it also implies that it might be a signal of lifestyle change. Recent research has shown that CAVI and numerous functions of the left ventricle are linked, which points to a link between vascular function and the heart muscle. This study discusses the fundamentals of CAVI as well as our preunderstanding of the measurement, with a particular emphasis on its functions and potential future use.