Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been used as an index of arterial stiffness. The ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E') has been shown to be the most accurate noninvasive predictor of elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure and of LV diastolic function. However the relationship between PWV and LV diastolic function are not thoroughly evaluated. We studied 112 patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease (mean age 66 짹 8 years, 61.6% men) referred for brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) determination who had had the E/E��� determined using echocardiography within 7 days. The mean baPWV was 1841짹 410 cm/s, the mean E/E��� was 14.8 짹 5.9. The E/E��� correlated significantly with the baPWV (r = 0.23, p = 0.016). Of the 112 patients, 10 had low E/E��� ( < 9 ), 56 had moderate E/E��� ( 9 to 15 ) and 46 had high E/E��� ( > 15 ). No significant differences were found in the mean age, sex, body mass index, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus and smoking status in the three E/E��� groups. The mean baPWV increased in stepwise manner from the low, to moderate, to high E/E��� groups ( 1707 짹 270 cm/s vs 1756 짹 377 cm/s vs 1974 짹 441 cm/s, respectively; p = 0.014 ). In conclusion, progressively increased E/E��� is associated with increased baPWV. Arterial stiffness represented by baPWV might be a predictor of LV filling pressure or LV diastolic function in hypertensive coronary artery disease patients.