To date, aortic stiffness is evaluated by the reference tonometric technique via the pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured in two points (i.e. regional aortic stiffness): the carotid and the femoral arteries. Based on a bioelectrical impedance signal processing recorded at the chest level, we have developed a new method for the determination of the aortic stiffness in one point (i.e. local aortic stiffness). The local aortic stiffness (AoStiff) was computed from two basic indices: The aortic flux resistance (AoRes) and the aortic distensibility (AoDist) indices.

The study was carried out on 129 consecutive patients at rest (89 men, mean age 50 ± 13) recruited on the occasion of a vascular screening for atherosclerosis. Carotid-femoral PWV was determined by a trained operator and bioelectrical impedance signals were recorded at the chest for 2 min for AoStiff, AoRes and AoDist determination. Brachial arterial blood pressure was taken at the same time. Relationship between AoStiff index and PWV was evaluated by linear regression.

A Pearson’s correlation coefficient of r=0.79 was found between both variables (95% confidence interval 0.71–0.85; P<0.0001; AoStiff= 0.06^*PWV+0.21).

Our results show that the local and the regional methods can provide a reliable estimate of the aortic stiffness. The variability between both variables is likely explained by differences between the local and the regional elastic properties along the aortic tree.