Main headings: I. Basic concepts of pulsatile arterial hemodynamics. - II. Pathophysiological mechanisms. - III. Arterial stiffness, wave reflections, cardiovascular risk and end-organ damage. - IV. Clinical aspects of arterial stiffness and wave reflections. - V. Therapeutic aspects of arterial stiffness and wave reflections.

In cardiovascular prevention, there is classically a small number of cardiovascular risk factors to treat, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking excess, which are widely detected and treated. Recently, it has been widely recognized that new mechanical factors should be detected and treated and involves specifically pulsatile arterial hemodynamic (PAH) parameters such as: arterial stiffness, pulse pressure, and, to a lesser extent, augmentation index and pulse pressure amplification. The pedagogic aspect of this new CV specialty involves 3 principal parts: a. -Basic...

In cardiovascular prevention, there is classically a small number of cardiovascular risk factors to treat, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking excess, which are widely detected and treated. Recently, it has been widely recognized that new mechanical factors should be detected and treated and involves specifically pulsatile arterial hemodynamic (PAH) parameters such as: arterial stiffness, pulse pressure, and, to a lesser extent, augmentation index and pulse pressure amplification. The pedagogic aspect of this new CV specialty involves 3 principal parts: a. -Basic...