[The diagnostic value and clinical significance of a method for estimating the arterial stiffness by cardio-ankle vascular index].

The review presents the data of clinical studies of a new method for estimating the arterial stiffness by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). The most significant factors influencing the vascular wall are analyzed and a CAVI measuring procedure and a calculation algorithm are described in detail. An association of the estimation of CAVI with other procedures determining the rigidity of the arterial wall is analyzed. A possibility for the practical application of this index to the study of the elastic properties of the vascular wall and for its use as a surrogate criterion to evaluate the vasoprotective effect of antihypertensive agents is considered.