Kowalski RR, et al. - In a cohort followed prospectively since birth, researchers assessed wave reflection characteristics in the aortic arch and common carotid artery of ex-preterm adolescents, as well as their association with central blood pressure. Study participants were 18-year-olds born extremely preterm (below 28 weeks’ gestation) and term-born controls. Elevated wave reflection indices in the aortic arch of ex-preterm adolescents showed correlation with central systolic pressure. The only biomechanical variables that were found to be related to central systolic pressure were forward and backward compression wave areas, as seen on multivariable analysis. In ex-preterm survivors, wave intensity analysis may afford a sensitive novel marker of changing vascular dysfunction.