Abstract: Objective To explore the association between pulse wave velocity and ambulatory pulse pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Methods 224 patients with essential hypertension were enrolled and divided into 3 groups based on the levels of 24 h mean pulse pressure. Carotid-femoral PWV(CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV(CRPWV) were measured by automatic pulse wave velocity measuring system. Results CFPWV increased with 24 h mean pulse pressure(P﹤0.001), whereas CRPWV did not change significantly. CFPWV was positively and significantly correlated with clinic pulse pressure(r=0.251, P﹤0.001), daytime pulse pressure(r=0.341, P﹤0.001), nighttime pulse pressure(r=0.301, P﹤0.001)and 24 h mean pulse pressure(r=0.338, P﹤0.001). Such relationships were not found with CRPWV. Conclusion CFPWV but not CRPWV closely correlate with ambulatory pulse pressure.

Key words: pulse wave velocity, ambulatory pulse pressure, hypertension