New techniques for the evaluation of specific components of blood pressure waveforms have been shown to have broad applications in cardiology. One of the more useful parameters of pressure wave analysis is the augmentation index (AI), which measures the interaction of the forward pressure wave with reflected waves from the distal circulation. Analysis of AI and associated wave functions show differences related to cardiac risk, the presence of disease, and the effects of drug administration. The AI can provide useful additional information in the evaluation of high-risk populations and is a useful research tool in evaluating drug and treatment effects. New techniques have allowed AI to become more widely available and current measurements are convenient and reliable.