Table 1. Arterial functional parameters used to describe pulsatile hemodynamics and arterial stiffness.

Measure	Advantage	Disadvantage	Measurement technique	Prognostic value for heart failure
Brachial PP	Simple	Depends on cardiac and arterial function	Brachial cuff	+++ (direct or inverse)
Central PP	The PP “seen” by the heart and central organs	Depends on cardiac and arterial function	Radial/brachial waveforms (tonometry or cuff), calibrated with brachial BP, and TF → central pressure waveform	+
PWA: AIx, AP	Physiological rationale	Depends on cardiac and arterial function, heart rate, sex, height, etc.	Automated analysis of the central pressure waveform	+
WSA: Pb, RM	Physiological rationale	Needs pressure and flow waveforms	Automated analysis of the central pressure and flow waveform	++
WIA	Physiological rationale	Needs pressure and flow waveforms; sensitive to waveform quality	Automated analysis of the central pressure and flow waveform	−
cfPWV	Relatively robust measurement	Depends on actual BP; determination of travel distance on body surface only an estimate	Tonometry, piezo-electronic sensors, cuffs	++
baPWV	Relatively robust measurement	Depends on actual BP; determination of travel distance is “virtual”	Cuffs	+

AIx = augmentation Index; AP = augmented pressure; baPWV = brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity; BP = blood pressure; cfPWV = carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity; Pb = amplitude backward wave; PP = pulse pressure; PWA = pulse waveform analysis; RM = reflection magnitude; TF = transfer function; WIA = wave intensity analysis; WSA = wave separation analysis.