Objectives
Arterial stiffness as assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) improves the prediction of first-ever and recurring stroke and of stroke outcomes when measured in the days after stroke. Here, we investigated the longitudinal dynamics of PWV in the days after acute ischaemic stroke.
Design
Monocentric, prospective cohort study nested within a clinical trial registry with repeated measurement assessment of PWV.
Setting
Comprehensive middle European stroke centre.
Participants
20 men and women that suffered stroke from November 2022 through August 2023.
Primary and secondary outcome measures
Change in carotid-femoral PWV was investigated by recording PWV four times between 1.2 and 9.9 days after stroke using a Vicorder device. Haemodynamic and patient-, stroke- and care-related variables were investigated as potential modifiers of PWV trajectories.
Results
Twenty patients aged 61.3±16.9 years (14 males) were included. There was a daily decline in PWV of –0.19 m/s (95% CI: –0.29 to –0.09; p