Arterial stiffness results from a degenerative process affecting mainly the extracellular matrix
of elastic arteries under the effect of aging and risk factors. Changes in extracellular matrix
proteins and in the mechanical properties of the vessel wall related to arterial stiffening may
activate number of mechanisms involved also in the process of atherosclerosis. Several
noninvasive methods are now available to estimate large artery stiffness in the clinical
setting, including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, the reference for aortic stiffness …