Ambulatory arterial stiffness index does not accurately assess arterial stiffness

Introduction: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI), derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recordings, has been proposed as a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness. However, there is controversy to what extent it reflects stiffness or is affected by other parameters. Using a previously validated one-dimensional computer model of the arterial circulation, the relative importance of the different determinants of the AASI was explored.