The carotid-femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity and paraoxonase 1 activity: Review

Abstract

Measurement of arterial pulse wave velocity is a good technique in which large artery elasticity is assessed from analysis of the peripheral arterial waveform. Pulse wave velocity is an index of arterial stiffness and a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. It is inversely correlated with arterial elasticity and relative arterial compliance. The carotid-femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in high risk patients with hypertension and hemodialysis. Aortic distensibility is reduced in the presence of coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy. A 1 m/s of increase in aortic pulse wave velocity increases risk of cardiovascular events approximately 39%. Serum lipids and lipoproteins such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein and paraoxonase 1 are important in atherosclerotic disease. Paraoxonase 1 is synthesized primarily in the liver and is secreted into the plasma, where it is closely associated with high density lipoproteins. Paraoxonase 1 prevents the formation of oxidized low density lipoprotein and it protects phospholipids in high density lipoprotein that has a potential cardio-protective function from oxidation. The association of paraoxonase 1 with pulse wave velocity is controversial. According to current data, there are a few studies in connection with activity of paraoxonase 1 and pulse wave velocity in the literature. Therefore, this connection was assessed in this review manuscript. Copyright © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.