Introduction: Large artery stiffness is recognized as a strong, independent marker of cardiovascular risk, mainly through aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). Arteriograph is a non-invasive oscillometric method, which estimates aortic PWV through brachial pressure wave analysis.

Aim: To compare the determinants of PWV measured with Arteriograph (Ar PWV) to carotid-femoral PWV (CF PWV) determinants and to study the determinants of discrepancies.

Methods: CF PWV was assessed by applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor®) and Ar PWV was assessed by Arteriograph. Multivariate analysis and stepwise regression was performed to study the determinants and Pearson’s coefficient to study correlations.

Results: 90 subjects were included: 30 healthy subjects and 60 patients with essential hypertension. The correlation between Ar PWV and CF PWV is good (r=0.77; p<0.001). Determinants of CF PWV are arterial blood pressure and age as expected. Determinants of Ar PWV are unusual: jugulum-pubic symphysis distance, diabetes status and gender (R² =0.15; 0.19 and 0.09 respectively). Concerning determinants of discrepancies of PWV we found again jugulum-pubic symphysis distance and gender (R² =0.08; 0.14 respectively). And for determinants of discrepancies of the time delay (Δt): carotid stiffness parameters (R²=0.15) and wave reflexions (R²=0.10)

Conclusion: Arteriograph is well correlated with CF PWV but determinants of Ar PWV and CF PWV are different, Arteriograph seems to be sensitive to metabolic factors. Adjustments may have to be done in further studies.