Glycaemic control and incidence of heart failure in 20,985 patients with type 1 diabetes: an observational study

CD36 Signaling in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), also referred to as scavenger receptor B2, has been shown to serve multiple functions in lipid metabolism, inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, and energy reprogramming. As a scavenger receptor, CD36 interacts with various ligands, such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), and fatty acid (FA), thereby activating specific downstream signaling pathways. Cardiac CD36 is mostly expressed on the surface of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. The pathophysiological process of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) encompasses diverse metabolic abnormalities, such as enhanced transfer of cardiac myocyte sarcolemmal FA, increased levels of advanced glycation end-products, elevation in oxidative stress, impaired insulin signaling cascade, disturbance in calcium handling, and microvascular rarefaction which are closely related to CD36 signaling. This review presents a summary of the CD36 signaling pathway that acts mainly as a long-chain FA transporter in cardiac myocytes and functions as a receptor to bind to numerous ligands in endothelial cells. Finally, we summarize the recent basic research and clinical findings regarding CD36 signaling in DCM, suggesting a promising strategy to treat this condition.

Practical use of electronic health records among patients with diabetes in scientific research

Electronic health (medical) records, which are also considered as patients’ information that are routinely collected, provide a great chance for researchers to develop an epidemiological understanding of disease. Electronic health records systems cannot develop without the advance of computer industries. While conducting clinical trials that are always costly, feasible and reasonable analysis of routine patients’ information is more cost-effective and reflective of clinical practice, which is also called real world study. Real world studies can be well supported by big data in healthcare industry. Real world studies become more and more focused and important with the development of evidence-based medicine. These big data will definitely help in making decisions, making policies and guidelines, monitoring of effectiveness and safety on new drugs or technologies. Extracting, cleaning, and analyzing such big data will be a great challenge for clinical researchers. Successful applications and developments of electronic health record in western countries (eg, disease registries, health insurance claims, etc) have provided a clear direction for Chinese researchers. However, it is still at primary stages in China. This review tries to provide a full perspective on how to translate the electronic health records into scientific achievements, for example, among patients with diabetes. As a summary in the end, resource sharing and collaborations are highly recommended among hospitals and healthcare groups.

Diabetic heart disease: A clinical update

Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases the risk of heart disease, and DM-related healthcare expenditure is predominantly for the management of cardiovascular complications. Diabetic heart disease is a conglomeration of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), and diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The Framingham study clearly showed a 2 to 4-fold excess risk of CAD in patients with DM. Pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and management options for DM-associated CAD are somewhat different from CAD among nondiabetics. Higher prevalence at a lower age and more aggressive disease in DM-associated CAD make diabetic individuals more vulnerable to premature death. Although common among diabetic individuals, CAN and DCM are often under-recognised and undiagnosed cardiac complications. Structural and functional alterations in the myocardial innervation related to uncontrolled diabetes result in damage to cardiac autonomic nerves, causing CAN. Similarly, damage to the cardiomyocytes from complex pathophysiological processes of uncontrolled DM results in DCM, a form of cardiomyopathy diagnosed in the absence of other causes for structural heart disease. Though optimal management of DM from early stages of the disease can reduce the risk of diabetic heart disease, it is often impractical in the real world due to many reasons. Therefore, it is imperative for every clinician involved in diabetes care to have a good understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical picture, diagnostic methods, and management of diabetes-related cardiac illness, to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients. This clinical review is to empower the global scientific fraternity with up-to-date knowledge on diabetic heart disease.

Incidence of heart failure in patients with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is considered an important contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus. However, a precise identification of hyperglycemia as contributor for HF is missing.

OBJECTIVES

We performed a review and a meta-regression of the available observational studies on the incidence of HF in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

DATA SOURCE AND ANALYSIS

We conducted a systematic search of the literature on the incidence of HF in patients with T1D identifying suitable studies published between January 1970 and June 2018 using the following search string: "type 1 diabetes" AND, "heart failure" OR "cardiac failure" OR "congestive heart failure" AND "incidence" NOT "type 2 diabetes" OR "diabetes type 2". Six observational studies were included. A random effect meta-regression model has been estimated to evaluate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of HF in T1D compared to healthy controls.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD age of patients with T1D was 42 ± 11 years, the mean HbA1c was 8.4 ± 0.3%, and average follow-up was 11 ± 3 years. The age-adjusted model shows an incidence rate ratio (IRR) effect of 3.18 (p < 0.001), in correspondence of the mean age at enrollment of studies involved in the analysis. A negative correlation was observed between IRR and average age.

CONCLUSIONS

This review shows that the incidence rate of HF is three times higher in patients with T1D than in controls. A careful surveillance of the risk factors for this condition should be included, since the onset of T1D may be important to reduce HF risk in these patients.

Metformin impairs homing ability and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells for cardiac repair in streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have demonstrated potential in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, patients with diabetes are on multiple drugs and there is a lack of understanding of how transplanted stem cells would respond in presence of such drugs. Metformin is an AMP kinase (AMPK) activator, the widest used antidiabetic drug. In this study, we investigated the effect of metformin on the efficacy of stem cell therapy in a diabetic cardiomyopathy animal model using streptozotocin (STZ) in male Wistar rats. To comprehend the effect of metformin on the efficacy of BM-MSCs, we transplanted BM-MSCs (1 million cells/rat) with or without metformin. Our data demonstrate that transplantation of BM-MSCs prevented cardiac fibrosis and promoted angiogenesis in diabetic hearts. However, metformin supplementation downregulated BM-MSC-mediated cardioprotection. Interestingly, both BM-MSCs and metformin treatment individually improved cardiac function with no synergistic effect of metformin supplementation along with BM-MSCs. Investigating the mechanisms of loss of efficacy of BM-MSCs in the presence of metformin, we found that metformin treatment impairs homing of implanted BM-MSCs in the heart and leads to poor survival of transplanted cells. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that metformin-mediated activation of AMPK is responsible for poor homing and survival of BM-MSCs in the diabetic heart. Hence, the current study confirms that a conflict arises between metformin and BM-MSCs for treating diabetic cardiomyopathy. Approximately 10% of the world population is diabetic to which metformin is prescribed very commonly. Hence, future cell replacement therapies in combination with AMPK inhibitors may be more effective for patients with diabetes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Metformin treatment reduces the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for cardiac repair during diabetic cardiomyopathy. Stem cell therapy in diabetics may be more effective in combination with AMPK inhibitors.

BH4 Increases nNOS Activity and Preserves Left Ventricular Function in Diabetes

RATIONALE

In diabetic patients, heart failure with predominant left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is a common complication for which there is no effective treatment. Oxidation of the NOS (nitric oxide synthase) cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and dysfunctional NOS activity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the diabetic vascular and cardiomyopathic phenotype.

OBJECTIVE

Using mice models and human myocardial samples, we evaluated whether and by which mechanism increasing myocardial BH4 availability prevented or reversed LV dysfunction induced by diabetes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In contrast to the vascular endothelium, BH4 levels, superoxide production, and NOS activity (by liquid chromatography) did not differ in the LV myocardium of diabetic mice or in atrial tissue from diabetic patients. Nevertheless, the impairment in both cardiomyocyte relaxation and [Ca2+]i (intracellular calcium) decay and in vivo LV function (echocardiography and tissue Doppler) that developed in wild-type mice 12 weeks post-diabetes induction (streptozotocin, 42-45 mg/kg) was prevented in mGCH1-Tg (mice with elevated myocardial BH4 content secondary to trangenic overexpression of GTP-cyclohydrolase 1) and reversed in wild-type mice receiving oral BH4 supplementation from the 12th to the 18th week after diabetes induction. The protective effect of BH4 was abolished by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of nNOS (the neuronal NOS isoform) in mGCH1-Tg. In HEK (human embryonic kidney) cells, S-nitrosoglutathione led to a PKG (protein kinase G)-dependent increase in plasmalemmal density of the insulin-independent glucose transporter GLUT-1 (glucose transporter-1). In cardiomyocytes, mGCH1 overexpression induced a NO/sGC (soluble guanylate cyclase)/PKG-dependent increase in glucose uptake via GLUT-1, which was instrumental in preserving mitochondrial creatine kinase activity, oxygen consumption rate, LV energetics (by 31phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy), and myocardial function.

CONCLUSIONS

We uncovered a novel mechanism whereby myocardial BH4 prevents and reverses LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction associated with diabetes via an nNOS-mediated increase in insulin-independent myocardial glucose uptake and utilization. These findings highlight the potential of GCH1/BH4-based therapeutics in human diabetic cardiomyopathy. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.

Effects of nutrition education using a food-based approach, carbohydrate counting or routine care in type 1 diabetes: 12 months prospective randomized trial

INTRODUCTION

Evidence on the effects of structured nutrition education is weak in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) with moderately impaired glycemic control. Objective was to compare the effects of different types of nutrition education programs on glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, diet quality and food choices in T1D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A 12 months randomized controlled study conducted at nine diabetes specialist centers with three parallel arms: (i) a food-based approach (FBA) including foods with low glycemic index or (ii) carbohydrate counting (CC) according to today's standard practice or (iii) individual sessions according to routine care (RC). The primary end point was difference in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between groups at 12 months.

RESULTS

159 patients were randomized (FBA: 51; CC: 52; RC: 55). Mean (SD) age 48.6 (12.0) years, 57.9% females and mean (SD) HbA1c level 63.9 (7.9) mmol/mol, 8% (0.7%). After 3 months, HbA1c improved in both FBA and CC compared with RC. However, there were no significant differences at 12 months in HbA1c; FBA versus RC (-0.4 mmol/mol (1.3), 0.04% (0.1%)), CC versus RC (-0.8 mmol/mol (1.2), 0.1% (0.1%)), FBA versus CC (0.4 mmol/mol (0.3), 0.04% (0.01%)). At 12 months, intake of legumes, nuts and vegetables was improved in FBA versus CC and RC. FBA also reported higher intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats compared with RC, and dietary fiber, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats compared with CC (all p values <0.05). There were no differences in blood pressure levels, lipids, body weight or quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition education using an FBA, CC or RC is equivalent in terms of HbA1c and cardiovascular risk factors in persons with T1D with moderately impaired glycemic control. An FBA had benefits regarding food choices compared with CC and RC.

Effects of D-pinitol on myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis in streptozocin-induced aging-accelerated mice

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes heart failure and increases the mortality in diabetic patients. Myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis are the main features of DCM and aging. The aim is to study the underlying mechanism of D-pinitol (DP) on myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis in an elderly diabetic mouse model. The diabetic model was established by SAMP-8 mice that were injected with streptozotocin daily for five consecutive days. The mice were administrated of DP (150 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ) by gavage for 10 weeks. The common metabolic disorder indices, cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway were investigated. Our findings suggested that DP has a protective effect on DCM, which may be related to regulating oxidative stress, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway involving cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis. DP may be a novel clinical application in fighting against DCM. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: D-pinitol (DP) was found in large quantities in soybean and legume foods. DP has a variety of functions, including hypoglycemic, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-tumor activity. We used the streptozotocin-induced SAMP8 mice as the diabetic model and treated with DP. We found that DP can improve cardiac dysfunction and inhibits the oxidative stress, myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis. DP has a significant effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The molecular mechanisms are related to regulating oxidative stress, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway involving cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis. DP can prevent and/or delay the onset of DCM.

Diabetes changes gene expression but not DNA methylation in cardiac cells

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide epidemic that causes high mortality due to cardiovascular complications, in particular heart failure. Diabetes is associated with profound pathophysiological changes in the heart. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetes on gene expression and DNA methylation in cardiac cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Transcriptome analysis of heart tissue from mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes revealed only 39 genes regulated, whereas cell type-specific analysis of the diabetic heart was more sensitive and more specific than heart tissue analysis and revealed a total of 3205 differentially regulated genes in five cell types. Whole genome DNA methylation analysis with basepair resolution of distinct cardiac cell types identified highly specific DNA methylation signatures of genic and regulatory regions. Interestingly, despite marked changes in gene expression, DNA methylation remained stable in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Integrated analysis of cell type-specific gene expression enabled us to assign the particular contribution of single cell types to the pathophysiology of the diabetic heart. Finally, analysis of gene regulation revealed ligand-receptor pairs as potential mediators of heterocellular interaction in the diabetic heart, with fibroblasts and monocytes showing the highest degree of interaction.

CONCLUSION

In summary, cell type-specific analysis reveals differentially regulated gene programs that are associated with distinct biological processes in diabetes. Interestingly, despite these changes in gene expression, cell type-specific DNA methylation signatures of genic and regulatory regions remain stable in diabetes. Analysis of heterocellular interactions in the diabetic heart suggest that the interplay between fibroblasts and monocytes is of pivotal importance.

Impact of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α on diabetic cardiomyopathy

The prevalence of cardiomyopathy is higher in diabetic patients than those without diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as a clinical condition of abnormal myocardial structure and performance in diabetic patients without other cardiac risk factors, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and significant valvular disease. Multiple molecular events contribute to the development of DCM, which include the alterations in energy metabolism (fatty acid, glucose, ketone and branched chain amino acids) and the abnormalities of subcellular components in the heart, such as impaired insulin signaling, increased oxidative stress, calcium mishandling and inflammation. There are no specific drugs in treating DCM despite of decades of basic and clinical investigations. This is, in part, due to the lack of our understanding as to how heart failure initiates and develops, especially in diabetic patients without an underlying ischemic cause. Some of the traditional anti-diabetic or lipid-lowering agents aimed at shifting the balance of cardiac metabolism from utilizing fat to glucose have been shown inadequately targeting multiple aspects of the conditions. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), a transcription factor, plays an important role in mediating DCM-related molecular events. Pharmacological targeting of PPARα activation has been demonstrated to be one of the important strategies for patients with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review is to provide a contemporary view of PPARα in association with the underlying pathophysiological changes in DCM. We discuss the PPARα-related drugs in clinical applications and facts related to the drugs that may be considered as risky (such as fenofibrate, bezafibrate, clofibrate) or safe (pemafibrate, metformin and glucagon-like peptide 1-receptor agonists) or having the potential (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor) in treating DCM.

Linking Kidney and Cardiovascular Complications in Diabetes-Impact on Prognostication and Treatment: The 2019 Edwin Bierman Award Lecture

In diabetes, increasing albuminuria and decreasing glomerular filtration rate are hallmarks of chronic kidney disease in diabetes and increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events and mortality as well as the risk for end-stage kidney disease. For two decades, standard of care has been controlling risk factors, such as glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and lifestyle factors, and specifically use of agents blocking the renin-angiotensin system. This has improved outcome, but a large unmet need has been obvious. After many failed attempts to advance the therapeutic options, the past few years have provided several new promising treatment options such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The benefits and side effects of these agents demonstrate the link between kidney and heart; some have beneficial effects on both, whereas for other potentially renoprotective agents, development of heart failure has been a limiting factor. They work on different pathways such as hemodynamic, metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic targets. We propose that treatment may be personalized if biomarkers or physiological investigations assessing activity in these pathways are applied. This could potentially pave the way for precision medicine, where treatment is optimized for maximal benefit and minimal adverse outcomes. At least it may help prioritizing agents for an individual subject.

Effect and Mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum Spores on Alleviation of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in a Pilot in vivo Study

BACKGROUND

Ganoderma lucidum spores (GLS) exhibit disease prevention properties, but no study has been carried out on the anti-diabetic cardiomyopathy property of GLS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hyperglycemia-mediated cardiomyopathy protection and mechanisms of GLS in streptozotocin (STZ)induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups. Two groups were given STZ (50 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment and when their fasting plasma glucose was above 16.7 mmol/L, among them, one group was given placebo, as diabetic group, and another group was given GLS (300 mg/kg) treatment. The group without STZ treatment was given placebo as a control group. The experiment lasted 70 days. The histology of myocardium and biomarkers of antioxidants, myocardial injury, pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro-apoptotic proteins and phosphorylation of key proteins in PI3K/AKT pathway were assessed.

RESULTS

Biochemical analysis showed that GLS treatment significantly reduced the blood glucose (-20.3%) and triglyceride (-20.4%) levels compared to diabetic group without treatment. GLS treatment decreased the content of MDA (-25.6%) and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (-18.9%) but increased the activity of GSH-Px (65.4%). Western blot analysis showed that GLS treatment reduced the expression of both alpha-smooth muscle actin and brain natriuretic peptide. Histological analysis on the cardiac tissue micrographs showed that GLS treatment reduced collagen fibrosis and glycogen reactivity in myocardium. Both Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses showed that GLS treatment decreased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors (cytokines IL-1β, and TNF-α) as well as apoptosis regulatory proteins (Bax, caspase-3 and -9), but increased Bcl-2. Moreover, GLS treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation of key proteins involved in PI3K/AKT pathway, eg, p-AKT p-PI3K and mTOR.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that GLS treatment alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by reducing hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and further attenuating the fibrosis and myocardial dysfunction induced by STZ through stimulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Role of AMP-activated protein kinase on cardio-metabolic abnormalities in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy: A molecular landscape

Cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a descriptive pathology that in absence of co-morbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia initially characterized by cardiac stiffness, myocardial fibrosis, ventricular hypertrophy, and remodeling. These abnormalities further contribute to diastolic dysfunctions followed by systolic dysfunctions and eventually results in clinical heart failure (HF). The clinical outcomes associated with HF are considerably worse in patients with diabetes. The complexity of the pathogenesis and clinical features of diabetic cardiomyopathy raises serious questions in developing a therapeutic strategy to manage cardio-metabolic abnormalities. Despite extensive research in the past decade the compelling approaches to manage and treat diabetic cardiomyopathy are limited. AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a serine-threonine kinase, often referred to as cellular "metabolic master switch". During the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, a plethora of evidence demonstrate the beneficial role of AMPK on cardio-metabolic abnormalities including altered substrate utilization, impaired cardiac insulin metabolic signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, myocardial inflammation, increased accumulation of advanced glycation end-products, impaired cardiac calcium handling, maladaptive activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endoplasmic reticulum stress, myocardial fibrosis, ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac apoptosis, and impaired autophagy. Therefore, in this review, we have summarized the findings from pre-clinical and clinical studies and provided a collective overview of the pathophysiological mechanism and the regulatory role of AMPK on cardio-metabolic abnormalities during the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Italy: a multicentric observational study

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and to identify the variables associated with CVRFs in a cohort of children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

METHODS

2021 subjects, 2-18 year-old, were recruited in 17 Italian Pediatric Diabetes Centers. Anthropometric, blood pressure, biochemical (HbA1c, lipid profile, ACR), insulin therapy, physical activity level, smoking and family socio-economic status data were collected. CVRFs prevalence and their distribution were analyzed according to age and binary logistic regression was performed with positivity for at least one major CVRF (BMI-SDS > +2SD, blood pressure > 90th percentile, LDL cholesterol>100 mg/dL) as dependent variable and age, duration of illness, gender, HbA1c and physical activity, as independent variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CVFRs not at the recommended target was respectively: 32.5% one CVRF, 6.7% two CVRFs and 0.6% three CVRFs, with no significant differences across the 3 age groups (2-10, 10-15, 15-18 years). In the total sample, HbA1c and inadequate physical activity were associated with a higher probability of having at least one major CVRF. This probability was associated with physical activity in the 2-10-year-old group, with physical activity and HbA1c in the 10-15-year-old group and with HbA1c only in subjects older than 15 years.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 30% of subjects had at least a major CVRF. Early detection of CVRFs may be useful to enforce the therapeutic intervention in this subgroup, in order to reduce the risk to develop cardiovascular complications.

Glucose Metabolism in the Kidney: Neurohormonal Activation and Heart Failure Development

The liver is not the exclusive site of glucose production in humans in the postabsorptive state. Robust data support that the kidney is capable of gluconeogenesis and studies have demonstrated that renal glucose production can increase systemic glucose production. The kidney has a role in maintaining glucose body balance, not only as an organ for gluconeogenesis but by using glucose as a metabolic substrate. The kidneys reabsorb filtered glucose through the sodium‐glucose cotransporters sodium‐glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 1 and SGLT2, which are localized on the brush border membrane of the early proximal tubule with immune detection of their expression in the tubularized Bowman capsule. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the renal maximum glucose reabsorptive capacity, and the threshold for glucose passage into the urine, are higher and contribute to the hyperglycemic state. The administration of SGLT2 inhibitors to patients with diabetes mellitus enhances sodium and glucose excretion, leading to a reduction of the glycosuria threshold and tubular maximal transport of glucose. The net effects of SGLT2 inhibition are to drive a reduction in plasma glucose levels, improving insulin secretion and sensitivity. The benefit of SGLT2 inhibitors goes beyond glycemic control, since inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption affects blood pressure and improves the hemodynamic profile and the tubule glomerular feedback. This action acts to rebalance the dense macula response by restoring adenosine production and restraining renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone activation. By improving renal and cardiovascular function, we explain the impressive reduction in adverse outcomes associated with heart failure supporting the current clinical perspective.

Molecular pathogenesis of heart failure in diabetes mellitus – new direction for the therapeutic approach

As it has been proven, cardiovascular diseases are several times more common in diabetic patients than in the general population. Despite many studies and hypotheses, is still not explained why this happens. Considering the frequent coexistence of cardiovascular risk factors with diabetes, the identification of diabetic cardiomyopathy as an independent complication is controversial, and diagnosis in clinical practice is rare. Nevertheless, the presence of diabetes significantly worsens the course and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases, and a better understanding of the diabetic component in the development of heart failure seems essential in the search for an effective therapy. The pathogenetic factors of the development of heart failure in diabetes include: metabolic disorders related to hyperglycaemia, lipotoxicity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, immune system dysfunction, genetic predisposition and epigenetic disorders. The clinical pictures of diabetic cardiomyopathy vary depending on the type of diabetes, and dysfunction includes not only the cells of the myocardium, as well as stromal cells, endothelial and nervous system cells. The long-term and asymptomatic course of this complication and its progressive nature shortening the lives of diabetic patients prompt the search for new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. A better understanding of the molecular basis of myocardial dysfunction in diabetes appears essential in the search. Stopping the “cascade” of pathways responsible for activation of inflammation, fibrosis or apoptosis in individual organs could effectively prevent the development of diabetic complications. The paper presents existing pathogenetic concepts and their therapeutic implications, which may be used in the prevention of cardiovascular complications in diabetes and allow individualization of therapy.

A national observation study of cancer incidence and mortality risks in type 2 diabetes compared to the background population over time

We examined changing patterns in cancer incidence and deaths in diabetes compared to the background population. A total of 457,473 patients with type 2 diabetes, included between 1998 and 2014, were matched on age, sex, and county to five controls from the population. Incidence, trends in incidence and post-cancer mortality for cancer were estimated with Cox regression and standardised incidence rates. Causes of death were estimated using logistic regression. Relative importance of risk factors was estimated using Heller’s relative importance model. Type 2 diabetes had a higher risk for all cancer, HR 1.10 (95% CI 1.09–1.12), with highest HRs for liver (3.31), pancreas (2.19) and uterine cancer (1.78). There were lesser increases in risk for breast (1.05) and colorectal cancers (1.20). Type 2 diabetes patients experienced a higher HR 1.23 (1.21–1.25) of overall post-cancer mortality and mortality from prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers. By the year 2030 cancer could become the most common cause of death in type 2 diabetes. Persons with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of developing cancer and lower chance of surviving it. Notably, hazards for specific cancers (e.g. liver, pancreas) in type 2 patients cannot be explained by obesity alone.

Diabetes and Heart Failure: Is it Hyperglycemia or Hyperinsulinemia?

The cardiac effects of exogenously administered insulin for the treatment of diabetes (DM) have recently attracted much attention. In particular, it has been questioned whether insulin is the appropriate treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure. While several old and some new studies suggested that insulin treatment has beneficial effects on the heart, recent observational studies indicate associations of insulin treatment with an increased risk of developing or worsening of pre-existing heart failure and higher mortality rates. However, there is actually little evidence that the associations of insulin administration with any adverse outcomes are causal. On the other hand, insulin clearly causes weight gain and may also cause serious episodes of hypoglycemia. Moreover, excess of insulin (hyperinsulinemia), as often seen with the use of injected insulin, seems to predispose to inflammation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Nevertheless, it should be stressed that most of the data concerning the effects of insulin on cardiac function derive from in vitro studies with isolated animal hearts. Therefore, the relevance of the findings of such studies for humans should be considered with caution. In the present review, we summarize the existing data about the potential positive and negative effects of insulin on the heart and attempt to answer the question whether any adverse effects of insulin or the consequences of hyperglycemia are more important and may provide a better explanation of the close association of DM with heart failure.

Morphological characteristics in diabetic cardiomyopathy associated with autophagy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy, clinically diagnosed as ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary atherosclerosis or hypertension in diabetic patients, is a cardiac muscle-specific disease that increases the risk of heart failure and mortality. Its clinical course is characterized initially by diastolic dysfunction, later by systolic dysfunction, and eventually by clinical heart failure from an uncertain mechanism. Light microscopic features such as interstitial fibrosis, inflammation, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy are observed in diabetic cardiomyopathy, but are common to failing hearts generally and are not specific to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Electron microscopic studies of biopsy samples from diabetic patients with heart failure have revealed that the essential mechanism underlying diabetic cardiomyopathy involves thickening of the capillary basement membrane, accumulation of lipid droplets, and glycogen as well as increased numbers of autophagic vacuoles within cardiomyocytes. Autophagy is a conserved mechanism that contributes to maintaining intracellular homeostasis by degrading long-lived proteins and damaged organelles and is observed more often in cardiomyocytes within failing hearts. Diabetes mellitus (DM) impairs cardiac metabolism and leads to dysregulation of energy substrates that contribute to cardiac autophagy. However, a "snapshot" showing greater numbers of autophagic vacuoles within cardiomyocytes may indicate that autophagy is activated into phagophore formation or is suppressed due to impairment of the lysosomal degradation step. Recent in vivo studies have shed light on the underlying molecular mechanism governing autophagy and its essential meaning in the diabetic heart. Autophagic responses to diabetic cardiomyopathy differ between diabetic types: they are enhanced in type 1 DM, but are suppressed in type 2 DM. This difference provides important insight into the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy, paying particular attention to autophagy in the heart, and discuss the therapeutic potential of interventions modulating autophagy in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Sex differences in the association between myocardial function and prognosis in type 1 diabetes without known heart disease: the Thousand & 1 Study

AIMS

In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), recent findings suggest that women have a greater excess risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) compared to men. Impaired diastolic function is a common feature in T1DM. We investigated the association between myocardial function by echocardiography and outcomes in T1DM males and females without known heart disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A prospective cohort of individuals with T1DM without known heart disease from the outpatient clinic of Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen. Follow-up was performed through Danish national registers. Outcomes, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality, were investigated. A total of 1079 participants (mean age: 49.6 ± 14.5 years, 52.6% male, mean duration of diabetes 25.8 ± 14.6 years) were included in the study. During follow-up (median 6.3 years, interquartile range 5.7-6.9), 142 (13.2%) experienced MACE and 63 (5.8%) died. Gender modified the relationship between E/e' and both MACE and all-cause mortality (P = 0.016 and 0.007, respectively). In females, after multivariable adjustment, both E/e' and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly associated with MACE [E/e': hazard ratio (HR) 1.15 confidence interval (CI) 95%: 1.07-1.24, per 1unit increase; and GLS: HR 1.19 CI 95%: 1.04-1.35, per 1% decrease] and with all-cause mortality (E/e': HR 1.26 CI 95%: 1.11-1.44; and GLS: HR 1.27 CI 95%: 1.03-1.56). In males, the association between E/e' and GLS and outcomes did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

In female individuals with T1DM both E/e' and GLS provided independent prognostic information, whereas the associations were not significant in males. These results suggest that T1DM affects myocardial function differently in males and females, which may be related to the observed sex difference in CVD risk in T1DM.

The Vicious Circle of Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Diabetes: From Pathophysiology to Emerging Treatments

CONTEXT

Diabetes and heart failure (HF) are 2 deadly and strictly related epidemic disorders. The aim of this review is to present an updated discussion of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and treatment options for HF in diabetes.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Relevant references published up to February 2020 were identified through searches in PubMed. Quality was graded using the Newcastle-Ottawa score in observational studies and the Cochrane Collaboration tool in randomized studies.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Metabolic and neurohumoral derangements, oxidative stress, inflammation, micro- and macroangiopathy all contribute through complex molecular and cellular mechanisms to cardiac dysfunction in diabetes, which in turn, results as one the most frequent underlying conditions affecting up to 42% of patients with HF and causing a 34% increased risk of cardiovascular death. On top of traditional guideline-based HF medical and device therapies, equally effective in patients with and without diabetes, a new class of glucose-lowering agents acting through the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition showed impressive results in reducing HF outcomes in individuals with diabetes and represents an active area of investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes and HF are strictly linked in a bidirectional and deadly vicious circle difficult to break. Therefore, preventive strategies and a timely diagnosis are crucial to improve outcomes in such patients. SGLT2 inhibitors represent a major breakthrough with remarkably consistent findings. However, it is still not clear whether their benefits may be definitely extended to patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, to those without diabetes and in the acute setting.

Calcium inhibitor inhibits high glucose‑induced hypertrophy of H9C2 cells

The aim of the present study was to explore whether the hypertrophy of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was induced by high glucose, to investigate whether the calcium channel inhibitor (Norvasc) could inhibit this process and to clarify the possible signaling pathways. The morphology of H9C2 cells was observed under an optical microscope, and the cell surface area was measured by Image Pro Plus 6.1 software. Furthermore, fluorescence spectrophotometry was used to detect intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i). ELISA was performed to detect calcineurin (CaN) activity; reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of CaN Aβ subunit (CnAβ), nuclear factor of activated T cells 3 (NFAT3) and β type myosin heavy chain (β-MHC). Cell size was increased with the increase in glucose concentration of culture medium at 48 and 72 h, respectively, and decreased with the addition of Norvasc compared with those without Norvasc (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in cell size with the addition of Norvasc compared with cells cultured with 5 mM glucose (P>0.05). The average [Ca²⁺]i activity of single cells in the 48- and 72-h culture groups treated with 50 mM glucose was significantly higher than cells treated with 5 mM glucose (P<0.05); and the fluorescent value of average [Ca²⁺]i activity of single cells was lower, following the addition of Norvasc than that without Norvasc (P<0.05). CaN activity in the 48- and 72-h culture group treated with 50 mM glucose was markedly higher than that treated with 5 mM glucose, and the activity of CaN notably decreased with the addition of Norvasc compared with those without Norvasc. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CnAβ, NFAT3 and β-MHC in the 48- and 72-h culture groups treated with 50 mM glucose were all significantly higher than those treated with 5 mM glucose (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of CnAβ, NFAT3 and β-MHC cultured with 50 mM glucose were significantly decreased following the addition of Norvasc (P<0.05). Thus, the calcium channel inhibitor Norvasc may inhibit high glucose-induced hypertrophy of H9C2 cardiomyocytes by inhibiting the Ca²⁺-CaN-NFAT3 signaling pathway.

Basic Mechanisms of Diabetic Heart Disease

Diabetes mellitus predisposes affected individuals to a significant spectrum of cardiovascular complications, one of the most debilitating in terms of prognosis is heart failure. Indeed, the increasing global prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an aging population has given rise to an epidemic of diabetes mellitus-induced heart failure. Despite the significant research attention this phenomenon, termed diabetic cardiomyopathy, has received over several decades, understanding of the full spectrum of potential contributing mechanisms, and their relative contribution to this heart failure phenotype in the specific context of diabetes mellitus, has not yet been fully resolved. Key recent preclinical discoveries that comprise the current state-of-the-art understanding of the basic mechanisms of the complex phenotype, that is, the diabetic heart, form the basis of this review. Abnormalities in each of cardiac metabolism, physiological and pathophysiological signaling, and the mitochondrial compartment, in addition to oxidative stress, inflammation, myocardial cell death pathways, and neurohumoral mechanisms, are addressed. Further, the interactions between each of these contributing mechanisms and how they align to the functional, morphological, and structural impairments that characterize the diabetic heart are considered in light of the clinical context: from the disease burden, its current management in the clinic, and where the knowledge gaps remain. The need for continued interrogation of these mechanisms (both known and those yet to be identified) is essential to not only decipher the how and why of diabetes mellitus-induced heart failure but also to facilitate improved inroads into the clinical management of this pervasive clinical challenge.

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment in Diabetes: Patient-reported Outcome after Surgery in National Quality Registries

BACKGROUND

Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (UNE) is overrepresented in patients with diabetes, but the outcome of surgery is unknown. We aimed to evaluate patient-reported outcome in patients with and without diabetes, and to assess potential sex differences and compare surgical treatment methods.

METHODS

Data on patients operated for UNE (2010-2016, n = 1354) from the Swedish National Registry for Hand Surgery were linked to the Swedish National Diabetes Register. Symptoms were assessed preoperatively (n = 389), and 3 (n = 283), and at 12 months postoperatively (n = 267) by QuickDASH and HQ-8 (specific hand surgery questionnaire-8 questions). Only simple decompressions were included when comparing groups.

RESULTS

Men with diabetes reported higher postoperative QuickDASH scores than men without diabetes. Women scored their disability higher than men on all time-points in QuickDASH, but showed larger improvement between preoperative and 12 months postoperative values. Patients operated with transposition scored 10.8 points higher on QuickDASH than patients who had simple decompression at 12 months (95% confidence interval 1.98-19.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with diabetes benefit from simple decompression for UNE to the same extent as women without diabetes. Men with diabetes risk not to benefit from simple decompression as much as women do. Ulnar nerve transposition had a higher risk of residual symptoms compared to simple decompression.

Impact of diabetes on clinical outcome of patients with heart failure undergoing ICD and CRT procedures: results from the German Device Registry

Aims

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a negative impact on prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). The role impact of DM in HF patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices might differ and remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of DM on periprocedural complications and clinical outcome in HF patients undergoing ICD or CRT implantation.

Methods and results

Within the German Device Registry, data from 50 German centres were collected between January 2007 and February 2014. A retrospective analysis of n = 5329 patients undergoing ICD implantation was conducted. Patients' characteristics, procedural data, periprocedural complications, and post‐procedural clinical outcome, including a composite clinical endpoint of all‐cause mortality, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MACCE), were analysed. Subgroup analysis were performed for ICD and CRT implantations. Median follow‐up was 15.7 (12.9; 20.0) and 16.2 (12.8; 21.2) months in DM and non‐DM patients. Of 5329 patients enrolled, n = 1448 (27.2%) had a diagnosis of DM. Within the cohort, 94% of DM and 90% of non‐DM patients had a diagnosis of HF. Patients with DM were older, had higher body mass index, and higher rate of cardiovascular comorbidities compared with non‐DM patients. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses revealed similar all‐over intrahospital periprocedural complication rates in both groups (4.1% vs 3.9%). Unadjusted Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed higher all‐cause mortality after 1 year (9.0% vs 6.3%; log‐rank P = 0.001) with higher MACCE rates (10.0% vs 7.3%; P < 0.001) in the DM group versus non‐DM patients. After multivariable adjustment for relevant covariates, the association of DM to MACCE disappeared [HR 1.11 (0.89‐1.38)]. Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) was clearly associated with increased 1 year MACCE after multivariate adjustment [odds ratio (OR) 2.11 (1.68–2.64)], a subgroup analysis was performed showing a strong trend towards more perioperative complications in DM patients with CKD [OR 2.16 (0.9–5.21)], while no effect of DM was observed in patients without CKD [OR 0.73 (0.42–1.28)].

Conclusions

The overall risk of periprocedural complications and short‐term (1 year) clinical outcome in patients with DM and HF undergoing ICD or CRT defibrillator (CRT‐D) implantation was not increased. In contrast, CKD was associated with an increased risk of 1 year MACCE in HF patients undergoing ICD/CRT‐D implantation.

Investigation of early signs of systolic and diastolic dysfunction among persons with type 1 diabetes

Background

Persons with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk to develop heart failure than the general population, and the mechanism behind the increased risk is unclear. In epidemiological studies with hospitalisation for heart failure as endpoint HbA1c, body mass index and decreased kidney function are significant risk factors, but it is unclear how these risk factors influence the development of heart failure.

Methods

In this study, we investigated early signs of systolic and diastolic dysfunction with transthoracic echocardiography. Statistical analysis on correlation of risk factors and early signs of diastolic and systolic dysfunction was made.

Results

In this study population of 287 persons with type 1 diabetes, 160 were men and 127 were women with a mean age of 53.8 (SD 11.6) years and a mean diabetes duration of 36.2 (SD 13.5) years. There were 23 (8.2%) persons who fulfilled the definition of systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <50% or regional wall motion abnormalities) and 24 persons (9%) the definition for diastolic dysfunction. When comparing the groups with either systolic or diastolic dysfunction to the rest of the population, the only significant risk factor was age in both groups and previous myocardial infarction in the systolic group.

Conclusion

In our study population with type 1 diabetes, we found signs of diastolic dysfunction in 9% and systolic dysfunction in 8.2%. Compared with published data from the general population, this rate is somewhat higher in a younger population. Only age was a significant risk factor in the study.

Myocardial Function Assessed by Multi-Layered Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Analysis in Asymptomatic Young Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular disease, and early detection of myocardial dysfunction is crucial for the prevention of cardiac complications.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function by using both conventional echocardiography as well as multi-layered speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in young adults with DM1.

METHODS

We included 50 young asymptomatic adults diagnosed with DM1 (mean interval from diagnosis 9 ± 6 years) and 80 healthy controls. STE was acquired using the GE Vivid S60 equipment. The LV longitudinal strain (LS), layer-specific strains of the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium (global longitudinal strain [GLS]endo, GLSmyo, GLSepi) as well as RV strain were obtained using the EchoPAC BT13 workstation.

RESULTS

No significant intergroup differences in LV ejection fraction were noted. GLSendo and GLSmyo were reduced in the DM1 group (-20.6 ± 2.7 vs. -22.0 ± 2.3 and -18.0 ± 2.4 vs. -19.1 ± 1.9, respectively, p < 0.05) compared to controls. Mechanical dispersion was higher in the diabetes group (34 ± 11 vs. 29 ± 7, p < 0.05). RV strain measurements showed no significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults with DM1 and without known heart disease have subclinical myocardial dysfunction with lower LV endocardium and myocardium LS and higher mechanical dispersion demonstrated by multi-layered STE.

Glycemic Control, Cardiac Autoimmunity, and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Poor glycemic control is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM); however, little is known about mechanisms specific to T1DM. In T1DM, myocardial injury can induce persistent cardiac autoimmunity. Chronic hyperglycemia causes myocardial injury, raising the possibility that hyperglycemia-induced cardiac autoimmunity could contribute to long-term CVD complications in T1DM.

METHODS

We measured the prevalence and profiles of cardiac autoantibodies (AAbs) in longitudinal samples from the DCCT (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial) in participants with mean hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) ≥9.0% (n=83) and ≤7.0% (n=83) during DCCT. We assessed subsequent coronary artery calcification (measured once during years 7-9 in the post-DCCT EDIC [Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications] observational study), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (measured during EDIC years 4-6), and CVD events (defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, death resulting from CVD, heart failure, or coronary artery bypass graft) over a 26-year median follow-up. Cardiac AAbs were also measured in matched patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with HbA_1c ≥9.0% (n=70) and ≤7.0% (n=140) and, as a control for cardiac autoimmunity, patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy (n=51).

RESULTS

Apart from HbA_1c levels, the DCCT groups shared similar CVD risk factors at the beginning and end of DCCT. The DCCT HbA_1c ≥9.0% group showed markedly higher cardiac AAb levels than the HbA_1c ≤7.0% group during DCCT, with a progressive increase and decrease in AAb levels over time in the 2 groups, respectively ( P<0.001). In the HbA_1c ≥9.0% group, 46%, 22%, and 11% tested positive for ≥1, ≥2, and ≥3 different cardiac AAb types, respectively, similar to patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy, compared with 2%, 1%, and 0% in the HbA_1c ≤7.0% group. Glycemic control was not associated with AAb prevalence in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Positivity for ≥2 AAbs during DCCT was associated with increased risk of CVD events (4 of 6; hazard ratio, 16.1; 95% CI, 3.0-88.2) and, in multivariable analyses, with detectable coronary artery calcification (13 of 31; odds ratio, 60.1; 95% CI, 8.4-410.0). Patients with ≥2 AAbs subsequently also showed elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (6.0 mg/L versus 1.4 mg/L in patients with ≤1 AAbs; P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor glycemic control is associated with cardiac autoimmunity in T1DM. Furthermore, cardiac AAb positivity is associated with an increased risk of CVD decades later, suggesting a role for autoimmune mechanisms in the development of CVD in T1DM, possibly through inflammatory pathways.

Inhibition of miR-21 alleviated cardiac perivascular fibrosis via repressing EndMT in T1DM

In type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, increased cardiac fibrosis, stiffness and associated diastolic dysfunction may be the earliest pathological phenomena in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelia cells (ECs) is a critical cellular phenomenon that increases cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and cardiac fibrosis in diabetic hearts. The purpose of this paper is to explore the molecular mechanism of miR-21 regulating EndMT and cardiac perivascular fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy. In vivo, hyperglycaemia up-regulated the mRNA level of miR-21, aggravated cardiac dysfunction and collagen deposition. The condition was recovered by inhibition of miR-21 following with improving cardiac function and decreasing collagen deposition. miR-21 inhibition decreased cardiac perivascular fibrosis by suppressing EndMT and up-regulating SMAD7 whereas activating p-SMAD2 and p-SMAD3. In vitro, high glucose (HG) up-regulated miR-21 and induced EndMT in ECs, which was decreased by inhibition of miR-21. A highly conserved binding site of NF-κB located in miR-21 5'-UTR was identified. In ECs, SMAD7 is directly regulated by miR-21. In conclusion, the pathway of NF-κB/miR-21/SMAD7 regulated the process of EndMT in T1DM, in diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be regarded as a potential clinical therapeutic target for cardiac perivascular fibrosis.

Incidence of Hospitalization for Heart Failure and Case-Fatality Among 3.25 Million People With and Without Diabetes Mellitus

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Recent clinical trials of new glucose-lowering treatments have drawn attention to the importance of hospitalization for heart failure as a complication of diabetes mellitus. However, the epidemiology is not well described, particularly for type 1 diabetes mellitus. We examined the incidence and case-fatality of heart failure hospitalizations in the entire population aged ≥30 years resident in Scotland during 2004 to 2013.

Methods:

Date and type of diabetes mellitus diagnosis were linked to heart failure hospitalizations and deaths using the national Scottish registers. Incidence rates and case-fatality were estimated in regression models (quasi-Poisson and logistic regression respectively). All estimates are adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and calendar-year.

Results:

Over the 10-year period of the study, among 3.25 million people there were 91, 429, 22 959, and 1313 incident heart failure events among those without diabetes mellitus, with type 2, and type 1 diabetes mellitus, respectively. The crude incidence rates of heart failure hospitalization were therefore 2.4, 12.4, and 5.6 per 1000 person-years for these 3 groups. Heart failure hospitalization incidence was higher in people with diabetes mellitus, regardless of type, than in people without. Relative differences were smallest for older men, in whom the difference was nonetheless large (men aged 80, rate ratio 1.78; 95% CI, 1.45–2.19). Rates declined similarly, by 0.2% per calendar-year, in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and without diabetes mellitus. Rates fell faster, however, in those with type 1 diabetes mellitus (2.2% per calendar-year, rate ratio for type 1/calendar-year interaction 0.978; 95% CI, 0.959–0.998).

Thirty-day case-fatality was similar among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and without diabetes mellitus, but was higher in type 1 diabetes mellitus for men (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95–0.96) and women (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.98). Case-fatality declined over time for all groups (3.3% per calendar-year, odds ratio per calendar-year 0.967; 95% CI, 0.961–0.973).

Conclusions:

Despite falling incidence, particularly in type 1 diabetes mellitus, heart failure remains ≈2-fold higher than in people without diabetes mellitus, with higher case-fatality in those with type 1 diabetes mellitus. These findings support the view that heart failure is an under-recognized and important complication in diabetes mellitus, particularly for type 1 disease.

Open carpal tunnel release and diabetes: a retrospective study using PROMs and national quality registries

OBJECTIVES

To study patient-reported outcome after open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with or without diabetes using national healthcare quality registries.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Hand Surgery (HAKIR; www.hakir.se) were linked to data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR; www.ndr.nu).

PARTICIPANTS

We identified 9049 patients (10 770 hands) operated for CTS during the inclusion period (2010-2016).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient-reported outcome measures were analysed before surgery and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively using the QuickDASH as well as the HAKIR questionnaire with eight questions on hand symptoms and disability.

RESULTS

Patients with diabetes (n=1508; 14%) scored higher in the QuickDASH both preoperatively and postoperatively than patients without diabetes, but the total score change between preoperative and postoperative QuickDASH was equal between patients with and without diabetes. The results did not differ between patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Patients with diabetic retinopathy scored higher in QuickDASH at 3 months postoperatively than patients with diabetes without retinopathy. In the regression analysis, diabetes was associated with more residual symptoms at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with diabetes experience more symptoms both before and after OCTR, but can expect the same relative improvement from surgery as patients without diabetes . Patients with retinopathy, as a proxy for neuropathy, may need longer time for symptoms to resolve after OCTR. Smoking, older age, higher HbA1c levels and receiving a diabetes diagnosis after surgery were associated with more residual symptoms following OCTR.

Ethnic differences in body composition, sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in Italy

This study aimed to compare immigrants and Italian natives with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in terms of anthropometric parameters and lifestyle-related characteristics and to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and glycemic control in men and women with DM2 living in Italy. The sample included 100 immigrants (55 Albanians and 45 Africans) and 100 Italians, followed by the Public Health Clinics of Rimini. The association of ethnicity with sex, socioeconomic status, anthropometric and hematological characteristics, and lifestyle were examined. In addition, differences among groups in glycemic control were evaluated. Among males, African participants presented significantly lower values than other groups in adiposity parameters and triglycerides. The highest percentage of obesity and of normal weight was found in Italians and in Africans, respectively. Among females, there were scanty differences, but Italians presented higher WHR values than the other groups. No statistical differences appeared in hematological parameters among groups. There were no significant differences in glycemic control among groups and sexes. Also considering the differences between subjects with optimal (L) or nonoptimal (H) glycemic control, the differences in lifestyle, anthropometric, and hematological variables remained scarce. Among all groups, significantly higher values of glucose were detected in H than in L. A similar condition appeared for triglycerides in males. Immigrant and native Italian diabetics did not present any difference in their clinical characteristics, but Italians generally presented worst lifestyle habits. The percentage of subjects with poor metabolic control of diabetes was not low, but similar in immigrants and natives.

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: An Update of Mechanisms Contributing to This Clinical Entity

Heart failure and related morbidity and mortality are increasing at an alarming rate, in large part, because of increases in aging, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. The clinical outcomes associated with heart failure are considerably worse for patients with diabetes mellitus than for those without diabetes mellitus. In people with diabetes mellitus, the presence of myocardial dysfunction in the absence of overt clinical coronary artery disease, valvular disease, and other conventional cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, has led to the descriptive terminology, diabetic cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of diabetic cardiomyopathy is increasing in parallel with the increase in diabetes mellitus. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is initially characterized by myocardial fibrosis, dysfunctional remodeling, and associated diastolic dysfunction, later by systolic dysfunction, and eventually by clinical heart failure. Impaired cardiac insulin metabolic signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, increases in oxidative stress, reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, elevations in advanced glycation end products and collagen-based cardiomyocyte and extracellular matrix stiffness, impaired mitochondrial and cardiomyocyte calcium handling, inflammation, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, cardiac autonomic neuropathy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, microvascular dysfunction, and a myriad of cardiac metabolic abnormalities have all been implicated in the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Molecular mechanisms linked to the underlying pathophysiological changes include abnormalities in AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, O-linked N-acetylglucosamine, protein kinase C, microRNA, and exosome pathways. The aim of this review is to provide a contemporary view of these instigators of diabetic cardiomyopathy, as well as mechanistically based strategies for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation in People With Type 1 Diabetes: An Observational Cohort Study of 36,258 Patients From the Swedish National Diabetes Registry

OBJECTIVE

This study identified variables associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation in people with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a cohort study of people with type 1 diabetes from the Swedish National Diabetes Registry followed up between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2013. Median follow-up was 9.7 years (interquartile range 5.2-13.0). The association between potential risk factors and incident atrial fibrillation was investigated using adjusted Cox regression. To compare the impact of each risk factor, the gradient of risk per 1 SD was estimated.

RESULTS

In this cohort of 36,258 patients with type 1 diabetes, 749 developed atrial fibrillation during follow-up. Older age, male sex, renal complications, increased BMI and HbA_1c, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart valve disease increased the risk of atrial fibrillation. Age, signs of renal dysfunction with macroalbuminuria, and decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate were associated with the highest gradient of risk for atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure, severe obesity (BMI >35 kg/m²), and elevated levels of HbA_1c (>9.6%) were associated with increased risk, but no associations were found with hyperlipidemia or smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The most prominent risk factors for atrial fibrillation in people with type 1 diabetes were older age, cardiovascular comorbidities, and renal complications, while obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia had more modest affects.

Supplementary Nitric Oxide Donors and Exercise as Potential Means to Improve Vascular Health in People with Type 1 Diabetes: Yes to NO?

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with a greater occurrence of cardiovascular pathologies. Vascular dysfunction has been shown at the level of the endothelial layers and failure to maintain a continuous pool of circulating nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the progression of poor vascular health. Biochemically, NO can be produced via two distinct yet inter-related pathways that involve an upregulation in the enzymatic activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). These pathways can be split into an endogenous oxygen-dependent pathway i.e., the catabolism of the amino acid L-arginine to L-citrulline concurrently yielding NO in the process, and an exogenous oxygen-independent one i.e., the conversion of exogenous inorganic nitrate to nitrite and subsequently NO in a stepwise fashion. Although a body of research has explored the vascular responses to exercise and/or compounds known to stimulate NOS and subsequently NO production, there is little research applying these findings to individuals with T1D, for whom preventative strategies that alleviate or at least temper vascular pathologies are critical foci for long-term risk mitigation. This review addresses the proposed mechanisms responsible for vascular dysfunction, before exploring the potential mechanisms by which exercise, and two supplementary NO donors may provide vascular benefits in T1D.

Predictors of early cardiac changes in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: An echocardiography-based study

In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) imaging studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased left ventricular mass (LVM) unrelated to arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The aim of our study was to identify potential predictors of early subclinical changes in cardiac chamber size and function in such patients. Sixty-one middle-aged asymptomatic normotensive patients with T1DM were included in the study. Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed and fasting serum levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, and creatinine were measured. We found moderate bivariate correlations of body mass index (BMI) with left atrial volume (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), LVM (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), left ventricular relative wall thickness (r = 0.32, p = 0.01), and all observed parameters of diastolic function of both ventricles. The five-year average value of HbA1c weakly correlated with the Doppler index of left ventricular filling pressure E/e´sept (r = 0.27, p = 0.04). We found no significant association of diabetes duration, five-year trend of HbA1c, serum lipids, and glomerular filtration rate with cardiac structure and function. After adjusting for other parameters, BMI remained significantly associated with left atrial volume, LVM as well as with the transmitral Doppler ratio E/A. In our study, BMI was the only observed parameter significantly associated with subclinical structural and functional cardiac changes in the asymptomatic middle-aged patients with T1DM.

Contribution of Impaired Insulin Signaling to the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has emerged as a relevant cause of heart failure among the diabetic population. Defined as a cardiac dysfunction that develops in diabetic patients independently of other major cardiovascular risks factors, such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, the underlying cause of DCMremains to be unveiled. Several pathogenic factors, including glucose and lipid toxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, sustained activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) or altered calcium homeostasis, have been shown to contribute to the structural and functional alterations that characterize diabetic hearts. However, all these pathogenic mechanisms appear to stem from the metabolic inflexibility imposed by insulin resistance or lack of insulin signaling. This results in absolute reliance on fatty acids for the synthesis of ATP and impairment of glucose oxidation. Glucose is then rerouted to other metabolic pathways, with harmful effects on cardiomyocyte function. Here, we discuss the role that impaired cardiac insulin signaling in diabetic or insulin-resistant individuals plays in the onset and progression of DCM.

Impairment of left and right ventricular longitudinal strain in asymptomatic children with type 1 diabetes

Aim

The relationship between type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and cardiac function in children is not well established. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether children and adolescents with T1DM present early asymptomatic abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function. In addition, we evaluated the relationship of any such abnormalities with glycemic control and diabetes duration.

Methods

This was a prospective study. Standard echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and two-dimensional strain analysis were performed prospectively in 52 children with T1DM. The results were compared with those from 52 healthy children matched for age and sex.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in LV ejection fraction or RV systolic function. There was a difference between the two study groups in transtricuspid flow: the E-wave and A-wave velocities were significantly higher in the diabetic group. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) was significantly lower in children with T1DM (−20.01 ± 1.86% vs. −22.99 ± 0.98%, respectively; P < .001), as was RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RV FWLS) (−29.13 ± 1.85% vs. −30.22 ± 1.53%, respectively; P = .002). LV GLS was correlated with diabetes duration (r = 0.444, P < .001) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r = 0.683, P < .001); however, no correlation was found between RV FWLS and HbA1c or diabetes duration.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that LV GLS and RV FWLS are impaired in children with T1DM and that the decrease in LV GLS is correlated with diabetes duration and HbA1c levels.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy - A comprehensive updated review

Diabetes causes cardiomyopathy and increases the risk of heart failure independent of hypertension and coronary heart disease. This condition called "Diabetic Cardiomyopathy" (DCM) is becoming a well- known clinical entity. Recently, there has been substantial research exploring its molecular mechanisms, structural and functional changes, and possible development of therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of DCM. This review summarizes the recent advancements to better understand fundamental molecular abnormalities that promote this cardiomyopathy and novel therapies for future research. Additionally, different diagnostic modalities, up to date screening tests to guide clinicians with early diagnosis and available current treatment options has been outlined.

The protective effect of kaempferol on heart via the regulation of Nrf2, NF-κβ, and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathways in isoproterenol-induced heart failure in diabetic rats

This study was designed to delineate the effect of kaempferol (KF) on heart failure (HF) in diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced male diabetic rats received KF orally at 10 and 20 mg/kg for 42 consecutive days. In last 2 days of the experimental period, isoproterenol was subcutaneously injected at 85 mg/kg to induce HF. The hearts were processed for hemodynamic, biochemical, molecular, and histological investigations. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were elevated in KF-treated HF-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, KF treatment resulted in decreased fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels with increased serum insulin levels. Besides, serum cardiac injury markers like troponin-I, creatine kinase-muscle/brain, lactate dehydrogenase, and brain natriuretic peptide levels were significantly reduced in KF treatment. KF treatment has shown decrease in cardiac heme oxygenase-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase with increased Keap1 mRNA levels. The cardioprotection of KF was improved by inhibition of apoptosis via blocking phosphorylation of Akt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β and p38 mitogen-activated protein-kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases signaling pathways in HF-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, reduced cardiac apoptosis in KF treatment was confirmed by decreased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells, histopathological changes in HF-induced diabetic rats. Therefore, the cardioprotective effect of KF is attributed to the regulation of Nrf2, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathways in HF-induced diabetic rats.

Excess risk of lower extremity amputations in people with type 1 diabetes compared with the general population: amputations and type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates how the excess risk of lower extremity amputations (amputations) in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) differs from the general population by diabetes duration, glycemic control, and renal complications.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed data from people with type 1 DM from the Swedish National Diabetes Register without prior amputation from January 1998 to December 2013. Each person (n=36 872) was randomly matched with five controls by sex, age, and county (n=184 360) from the population without diabetes. All were followed until first amputation, death or end of follow-up.

RESULTS

The overall adjusted HR for all amputation was 40.1 (95% CI 32.8 to 49.1) for type 1 DM versus controls. HR increased with longer diabetes duration. The incidence of amputation/1000 patient-years was 3.18 (95% CI 2.99 to 3.38) for type 1 DM and 0.07 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.08) for controls. The incidence decreased from 1998-2001 (3.09, 95% CI 2.56 to 3.62) to 2011-2013 (2.64, 95% CI 2.31 to 2.98). The HR for major amputations was lower than for minor amputations and decreased over the time period (p=0.0045). Worsening in glycemic control among patients with diabetes led to increased risk for amputation with an HR of 1.80 (95% CI 1.72 to 1.88) per 10 mmol/mol (1%) increase in hemoglobin A1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the absolute risk of amputation is relatively low, the overall excess risk was 40 times that of controls. Excess risk was substantially lower for those with good glycemic control and without renal complications, but excess risk still existed and is greatest for minor amputations.

Right ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in diabetic cardiomyopathy

The increasing prevalence of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important threat to health worldwide. While left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in DCM is well recognized, the accurate detection, diagnosis, and treatment of changes in right ventricular (RV) structure and function have not been well characterized. The pathophysiology of RV dysfunction in DCM may share features with LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction, including pathways related to insulin resistance and oxidant injury, although the RV has a unique cellular origin and composition and unique biomechanical properties and is coupled to the lower-impedance pulmonary vascular bed. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms responsible for RV dysfunction in DCM and review the imaging approaches useful for early detection, protection, and intervention strategies. Additional data are required from animal models and clinical trials to better identify the onset and features of altered RV and pulmonary vascular structure and function during the onset and progression of DCM and to determine the efficacy of early detection and treatment of RV dysfunction on clinical symptoms and outcomes.

Dose-dependent effect of smoking on risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke in individuals with type 1 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to assess the potential dose-dependent effects of smoking on the risk of CHD, heart failure and stroke in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The study included 4506 individuals with type 1 diabetes who were participating in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) study. Intensity of smoking was estimated by packs per day and cumulative smoking by pack-years. Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of incident CHD, heart failure or stroke during follow-up.

RESULTS

One pack per day significantly increased the risk of incident CHD in current smokers compared with never smokers (HR 1.45 [95% CI 1.15, 1.84]), after adjustment for age, sex, HbA_1c, hypertension, duration of diabetes and BMI. The risk of CHD in former smokers was similar to the risk in never smokers. The risk of incident heart failure was 1.43 (95% CI 1.03, 1.97) in current smokers per one pack per day and 1.37 (95% CI 1.05, 1.77) in former smokers, while the risk of incident stroke was 1.70 (95% CI 1.26, 2.29) and 1.49 (95% CI 1.14, 1.93), respectively. After further adjustments for lipids, however, the difference in the risk of heart failure in current and former smokers was no longer significant. Cumulative smoking data were similar to smoking intensity data.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

There is a dose-dependent association between smoking and cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 1 diabetes. In men in particular, the risk of incident stroke remains high even after smoking cessation and is increased in current and former smokers independently of other risk factors.

[Electrocardiography coupled with transthoracic echocardiography at rest in the diagnosis of cardiac impairments in type 2 diabetics: lessons learned from a cross-sectional case series in Burkina Faso]

Diabetes is a powerful independent cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study is to describe the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities observed in patients with type 2 diabetes treated in the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of all patients with type 2 diabetes who gave consent from April to September 2014. We gathered clinical data from all the patients. They, moreover, underwent electrocardiography and doppler echocardiography. A total of 155 diabetics were investigated. The average age of patients was 55 years (IQR: 47-64) with a female predominance (sex ratio 0.5). Electrocardiographic abnormalities included repolarization abnormalities (31%) and atrial rhythm disorders (16,12%). Echocardiographic examination showed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 20,64% of cases. Left atrium was dilated in 14.19% of cases, LV was dilated in 1.3% of cases. Abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction was detected in 3.87% of cases. Nosological entities included hypertensive heart disease in 27 cases (54%), ischemic heart disease in 19 cases (38%), dilated cardiomyopathy in 2 cases (4%) and diabetic cardiomyopathy in 2 cases (4%). Heart failure was detected in 22 cases (44%) independently from cardiac impairment. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities are frequent in type 2 diabetes population at the University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso. Improved cooperation between cardiologists and diabetologists as well as the establishment of adequate technical screening equipment would be prerequisite for better cardiac risk stratification in this population.

Stable but Progressive Nature of Heart Failure: Considerations for Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians play a significant role in managing heart failure (HF), with the goals of reducing mortality, avoiding hospitalization, and improving patients’ quality of life. Most HF-related hospitalizations and deaths occur in patients with New York Heart Association functional class II or III, many of whom are perceived to have stable disease, which often progresses without clinical symptoms due to underlying deleterious effects of neurohormonal imbalance and endothelial dysfunction. Management includes lifestyle changes and stepped pharmacological therapy directed at the four stages of HF, with aggressive uptitration of therapies, including beta-blockers and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Recently, two new HF treatments have become available in clinical practice. Ivabradine was approved to reduce the risk of hospitalization for HF in patients with stable, symptomatic HF. Additionally, the angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sacubitril/valsartan, was found to be significantly superior to enalapril in reducing risks of cardiovascular death and HF-related hospitalization. The respective 2016 and 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Failure Society of America clinical practice guideline updates recommend that patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker therapy be switched to ARNI therapy to further reduce morbidity and mortality. For HF management to be maximally effective, physicians must be knowledgeable about the risks and benefits of treatments and stay engaged with patients to identify signs of disease progression. This article provides an overview of the progressive nature of HF in apparently stable patients and describes areas for treatment improvement that may help to optimize patient care.

Poor Glycemic Control Is Associated With Increased Extracellular Volume Fraction in Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

We assessed whether poor glycemic control is associated with an increase in myocardial fibrosis among adults with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied 47 adults with type 2 diabetes and stratified them into three groups according to their hemoglobin A1c (HbA_1c) level: <6.5% (group 1; n = 12), 6.5-7.5% (group 2; n = 20), and >7.5% (group 3; n = 15). Left ventricular (LV) mass was assessed using cardiac MRI. The extracellular volume fraction (ECVF), an index of myocardial fibrosis, was measured by using myocardial T1 mapping before and after the administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent.

RESULTS

Mean HbA_1c was 5.84 ± 0.16%, 6.89 ± 0.14%, and 8.57 ± 0.2% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. LV mass was not significantly different between the groups. The myocardial ECVF was significantly greater in groups 2 (mean 27.6% [95% CI 24.8-30.3]) and 3 (27.6% [24.4-30.8]) than in group 1 (21.1% [17.5-24.7]; P = 0.015). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, the myocardial ECVF was significantly greater in groups 2 (27.4% [24.4-30.4]) and 3 (28% [24.5-31.5]) than in group 1 (20.9% [17.1-24.6]; P = 0.0156, ANCOVA).

CONCLUSIONS

An increased myocardial ECVF, suggesting myocardial fibrosis, is independently associated with poor glycemic control among adults with diabetes. Further research should assess whether tight glycemic control can revert fibrosis to healthy myocardium or ameliorate it and its adverse clinical consequences.

Heart Failure: Optimizing Recognition and Management in Outpatient Settings

Heart failure represents a growing chronic medical condition with major implications on patient morbidity, mortality, and cost to health care systems. In this article, the heart failure syndrome is reviewed from a perspective of diagnosis and management, with updated therapeutic options reflected in major guidelines published since this topic was last reviewed in Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice in 2013. An emphasis is placed on the use of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology's staging system as a framework to improve early identification and treatment of patients at risk of symptomatic heart failure.