The pulse wave transition time measurement method involves measuring the transition times of pulse waves produced in a patient's or donor's overall vessel system by heart contractions, determining a parameter that is correlated with blood density and using the parameter to compute a pulse wave transition time that is compensated for the effect of blood density from the measured transition time. Independent claims are also included for the following: an arrangement for pulse wave transition time measurement of a patient or donor and an extracorporal blood treatment device.