Does arterial stiffness predict atherosclerotic coronary events?

Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death and morbidity. Due to the increased longevity of most developed societies, there is an increasing overlap between arteriosclerosis associated with normal vascular ageing and atherosclerosis associated with cardiovascular risk factors. There is therefore a need for improvements, both in the early identification of individuals at risk, and in cardiovascular risk stratification. Arterial stiffness is an important determinant of cardiovascular risk and can now be measured simply and noninvasively in large populations. This review will therefore focus on the current evidence as to the predictive value of arterial stiffness in relation to coronary events and also on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis.