Abstract
The risk of cardiovascular events is linked to arterial elasticity that can be estimated from the pulse wave velocity. This symmetric wave velocity is related to the wall elasticity through the Moens–Korteweg equation. However, ultrasound imaging techniques need improved accuracy, and optical measurements on retinal arteries produce inconsistent results. After a quick historical review, it will be shown that the observation of an antisymmetric pulse wave, namely, the flexural pulse wave is possible. An optical system performs invivo wave velocity measurements on retinal arteries and veins. Velocity estimation ranges between 1 and 10 μm per second. The theory of guided waves confirms the existence of this wave mode and its low velocity. Natural flexural waves can also be detected at the bigger scale of a carotid artery using ultrafast ultrasound imaging. This second natural pulse wave has great potential of becoming a biomarker of blood vessel aging.
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