Reflections revisited, reinterpretation required

In a generally accepted view, the pressure wave travels down the aorta, is reflected, and returns to the heart. An increased Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV, a measure of arterial stiffness) would cause a proportional reduction in return time. Additionally, in this view, the return time is longest in the central aorta and shortest in the distal aorta. However, combining data on PWV and return time as a function of age demonstrates that PWV has a negligible effect on return time. Moreover, the delay between the forward and reflected wave remains rather constant along the aorta.