Pulse Wave Velocity of 8.2 m/s as a Threshold Associated with Cardiovascular Target Organ Damage Presence

Background: Previous studies have established normal and reference values for Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV). However, the PWV value that has the strongest association with cardiovascular biomarkers remains poorly understood.Objective: This study aimed to determine the PWV value more likely to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), increased intima-media thickness (IMT), and presence of carotid plaques in patients with hypertension.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 119 patients. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was performed for each cardiovascular biomarker. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: According to the ROC curve analysis, the PWV values were 8.1 m/s, 8.2 m/s, and 8.7 for the LVH, IMT, and presence of carotid plaques, respectively. A PWV value of 8.2 m/s was identified as the best parameter to determine the three TOD biomarkers. PWV above 8.2 m/s was associated with increased CIMT (p = 0.004) and the presence of carotid plaques (p = 0.003) and LVH (p<0.001). PWV above 8.2 showed greater sensitivity for increased CIMT (AUC = 0.678, sensitivity = 62.2), LVH (AUC = 0.717, sensitivity = 87.2), and the presence of plaques (AUC = 0.649, sensitivity = 74.51) in the ROC curve analysis.Conclusion: The PWV value 8.2 m/s was more sensitive in early identifying the existence of cardiovascular biomarkers of TOD.

Automated summary

This study determined that a PWV value of 8.2 m/s is more likely to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, increased intima-media thickness, and the presence of carotid plaques in patients with hypertension. It showed higher sensitivity in early identifying the existence of cardiovascular biomarkers of target organ damage (TOD).