Pulse wave analysis and diabetes mellitus. A systematic review

Cinnamomum cassia on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Outcomes of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Cinnamomum cassia is a medicinal plant whose use has demonstrated benefits on body weight, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. cassia on arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 18 subjects aged 40-65 years, with a diagnosis of T2DM of one year or less since diagnosis and treated with Metformin 850 mg daily. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either C. cassia or a placebo in 1000 mg capsules, thrice a day, before each meal for 12 weeks. At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and Flow Mediated Dilation were measured, as well as body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose (FG), glycated hemoglobin A₁c (HbA₁c), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, respectively, triglycerides, creatinine, and transaminases. The Mann-Whitney U test for differences between groups and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for intragroup differences were used, and a P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. After C. cassia administration, statistically significant reductions in body weight (81.4 ± 10.4 kg vs. 79.9 ± 9.0 kg, P = .037), BMI (30.6 ± 4.2 kg/m² vs. 30.1 ± 4.2 kg/m², P = .018), and HbA₁c (53 ± 5.4 mmol/mol vs. 45 ± 2.1 mmol/mol, P = .036) were observed. No changes statistically significant on arterial stiffness, ED, FG, BP, and lipids were observed. C. cassia administration decreases body weight, BMI, and HbA₁c without statistically significant changes on arterial stiffness, ED, FG, BP, and lipids. CTR Number: NCT04259606.

Evaluating Atherosclerosis of the Abdominal Aorta in Rabbits Using 2-D Strain Imaging

After establishment of an animal model of atherosclerosis, speckle tracking imaging was performed to analyze the correlation between ultrasound characteristics and pathological manifestations. Rabbits were divided into the normal control (NC) and atherosclerosis (AS) groups. Rabbits in the AS group were subjected to ultrasound-guided balloon injury of the abdominal aorta and fed a high-fat diet for 16 wk. Rabbits in the NC group were fed a normal diet for the same period. After 16 wk, all animals underwent serological tests, ultrasound and speckle tracking circumferential strain analysis. In the AS group, 28 hypo-echoic plaques had formed. The circumferential strain of six segments at the short axis of plaques in the AS group was lower than that in the NC group (p < 0.001), and global circumferential strain (GCS) in the AS group was significantly reduced compared with the NC group (p < 0.001). In the AS group, the area ratio of type I to type III collagen fibers was smaller than that in the NC group. The GCS of atherosclerotic plaques was positively correlated with the area ratio of type I to type III collagen fibers in plaques (r = 0.7181, p < 0.001). In conclusion, there is a significant positive correlation between the decreased circumferential strain and the decreased area ratio of type I to type III collagen fibers in hypo-echoic plaques.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Arterial Stiffness: A Two-Way Path

The kidney-heart relationship has raised interest for the medical population since its vast and complex interaction significantly impacts health. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) generates vascular structure and function changes, with significant hemodynamic effects. The early arterial stiffening in CKD patients is a consequence of the interaction between oxidative stress and chronic vascular inflammation, leading to an accelerated deterioration of left ventricular function and alteration in tissue perfusion. CKD amplifies the inflammatory cascade's activation and is responsible for altering the endothelium function, increasing the vascular tone, wall thickening, and favors calcium deposits in the arterial wall. Simultaneously, the autonomic imbalance, and alteration in other hormonal systems, also favor the overactivation of inflammatory and fibrotic mediators. Thus, hormonal disarrangement also contributes to structural and functional lesions throughout the arterial wall. On the other hand, a rise in arterial stiffening and volume overload generates high left ventricular afterload. It increases the left ventricular burden with consequent myocardial remodeling, development of left ventricular hypertrophy and, in turn, heart failure. It is noteworthy that reduction in glomerular mass of renal diseases generates a compensatory glomerular filtration overdriven associated with large-arteries stiffness and high cardiovascular events. Furthermore, we consider that the consequent alterations of the arterial system's mechanical properties are crucial for altering tissue perfusion, mainly in low resistance. Thus, increasing the knowledge of these processes may help the reader to integrate them from a pathophysiological perspective, providing a comprehensive idea of this two-way path between arterial stiffness and renal dysfunction and their impact at the cardiovascular level.

Total vascular resistance, augmentation index, and augmentation pressure increase in patients with peripheral artery disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of major vascular diseases which frequently coexists with coronary arterial disease and cerebrovascular disease. The patients with PAD have a poor prognosis when it progresses. A new blood pressure testing device enables to simultaneously measure brachial blood pressure (BP), central BP, and several vascular parameters, with easy and non-invasive, in a short time. Here, we aimed to evaluate these arterial stiffness parameters in patients with PAD.In this study, 243 consecutive patients who were suspected of having PAD and referred to our hospital from September 2016 to June 2019, were registered. Several parameters, such as brachial BP, central BP, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), total vascular resistance (TVR), augmentation index (AI) and augmentation pressure (AP), were determined by Mobil-O-Graph. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was used to define PAD (ABI ≤ 0.9 as PAD). The relationship between PAD and central BP, aPWV, TVR, AI, or AP were investigated.One hundred sixty-two patients (67%) were categorized as the PAD group and 81 patients (33%) as the non-PAD group. In the PAD group, the systolic brachial BP and central systolic BP were significantly higher than those in the non-PAD group (138 ± 24 mmHg vs 131 ± 19 mmHg, P < .05, 125 ± 22 mmHg vs 119 ± 18 mmHg, P < .05, respectively). TVR, AI, and AP were significantly higher in the PAD group (1785 ± 379 dyn s/cm5 vs 1661 ± 317 dyn s/cm5, P < .05, 26.2 ± 13.0% vs 22.2 ± 13.3%, P < .05, 13.5 ± 9.4 mmHg vs 10.7 ± 7.2 mmHg, P < .05, respectively). No significant differences in diastolic BP, central diastolic BP, and aPWV were found between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that PAD was significantly associated with TVR, AI, and AP (P < .05, respectively).TVR/AP/AI were significantly higher in the PAD group than in the non-PAD group.

Diabetes Mellitus, Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Disease: Clinical Implications and the Influence of SGLT2i

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly evolving global health issue associated with a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. The hyperglycaemic milieu contributes to the development of CV complications via several pathological pathways, leading to increased arterial stiffness (AS), that can be considered as a predictor of CV events in patients with diabetes. The measurement of AS is increasingly used for the clinical assessment of patients. Several methodologies were used in extensive population studies to assess AS; the most commonly used is the pulse wave velocity (PWV). The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was developed to measure AS; it is not affected by blood pressure at the time of measurement and shows stable values in healthy persons for years. There are several potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aiming to reduce AS. Recent evidence from clinical trials suggests that newer antidiabetic drugs do not only exert glycaemic-lowering properties but also decrease CV risk. In this context, sodium glucose cotransporter- 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) ( empagliflozin, canagliflozin and dapagliflozin) significantly reduced the risk of CV and all-cause mortality (only EMPA-REG OUTCOME study) and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with T2DM with established CV disease and/or with CV risk factors. Improved endothelial function and AS probably represents one of the mechanisms by which these drugs exert their beneficial effects. The present review aimed both to describe the association between AS and T2DM and to discuss the effectiveness of SGLT2i on vascular endothelial dysfunction and AS.

Hypertriglyceridemic Waist in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Its Relationship to Selected Markers of Vascular Damage

Background: To evaluate the association between hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW), a promising marker of visceral adiposity and cardiovascular (CV) risk, and different indicators of vascular damage in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Methods: This case-control study included 161 patients with T2D (91 males, 70 females) and 40 healthy controls (24 males, 16 females). HTWG was defined as waist circumference >90 cm in men or >85 cm in women and triglyceride concentrations >2 mmol/L. In addition to anthropometric and metabolic parameters, markers of endothelial dysfunction, namely von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), were assessed. Arterial stiffness parameters were examined using the SphygmoCor system. Results: Individuals with T2D and HTGW showed the highest elevation of PAI-1 levels and significantly increased vWF levels compared with healthy controls. No significant differences in arterial stiffness markers were observed between T2D individuals. Age and, for several markers, systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure were identified as the main predictors for arterial stiffness, whereas PAI-1 and vWF levels were predicted by metabolic parameters. Conclusions: HTGW represents increased CV risk in T2D patients, mainly due to endothelial damage. The presence of HTGW had no significant effect on arterial stiffness compared with other T2D individuals.

Pulse wave amplitude drops during sleep: clinical significance and characteristics in a general population sample

Study Objectives

To explore the clinical significance of pulse wave amplitude (PWA)-drops during sleep as a biomarker for cardiometabolic disorders and describe their main characteristics in a general population sample.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of HypnoLaus cohort, in which 2162 individuals underwent clinical assessment and in-home full polysomnography. PWA-drops were derived from photoplethysmography and processed using a validated automated algorithm. Associations between PWA-drop features (index, mean duration, and mean area under the curve [AUC]) with hypertension, diabetes, and previous cardiovascular (CV) event were analyzed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression.

Results

Two thousand one hundred forty-nine participants (59 ± 11 years, 51% women, 9.9% diabetes, 41.3% hypertension, 4.4% CV event) were included. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of PWA-drop index, duration, and AUC during sleep were 51.0 ± 20.3 events/hour, 14.0 ± 2.7 seconds, and 527±115 %seconds, respectively. PWA-drop index was lower in women and decreased with age, while its mean duration and AUC increased in men and elderly. Overall, lower PWA-drop index, longer duration and greater AUC were associated with increased odds of hypertension, diabetes, or CV event after adjustment for confounders. Participants in the lowest quartile of mean duration-normalized PWA-drop index had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of hypertension (OR = 1.60 [1.19–2.16]), CV event (OR = 3.26 [1.33–8.03]), and diabetes (OR = 1.71 [1.06–2.76]) compared to those in the highest quartile. Similar results were observed for mean AUC-normalized PWA-drop index regarding hypertension (OR = 1.59 [1.19–2.13]), CV event (OR = 2.45 [1.14–5.26]) and diabetes (OR = 1.76 [1.10–2.83]).

Conclusions

PWA-drop features during sleep seem to be an interesting biomarker independently associated with cardiometabolic outcomes in the general population.

Renal Function, Albumin-Creatinine Ratio and Pulse Wave Velocity Predict Silent Coronary Artery Disease and Renal Outcome in Type 2 Diabetic and Prediabetic Subjects

INTRODUCTION

Silent coronary heart disease is frequently undetected in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and pre-diabetes determined by glucose intolerance (GI). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) have been considered markers of cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease and chronic renal failure.

AIM

To evaluate the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the relationship between urinary albumin-creatinine ratio, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and PWV in type 2 DM with silent CAD.

METHODS

We analyzed 92 individuals (44 male), 49 (60±7y) type 2 DM non-insulin dependents and 43 prediabetics (43±4y), with Grade I-II hypertension and no symptoms of CAD. All type 2 DM patients were under antidiabetic treatment with A1C hemoglobin between 5.5 and 6.5%. Every patient underwent a myocardial perfusion SPECT scan. In those subjects with ischemic patterns, coronary angiography was performed. In addition, PWV, glomerular filtration rate, and ACR were evaluated.

STATISTICS

mean±SEM, and ANOVA among groups.

RESULTS

48.59% of DM2 and 25.58% of GI patients had silent coronary artery had silent coronary artery disease and higher ACR, PWV and reduced GFR. Higher ACR and PWV and reduced GFR. DM2 and GI showed a negative relationship between GFR and ACR. Moreover, this relation was also observed in different levels of GFR (>60 ml/min and <60ml.min (p<0.05) in patients with CAD, suggesting a cardio-renal interaction in DM2.

CONCLUSION

Higher PWV, lower GFR and ACR predict the incidence of CAD in DM2. Dysglycemic individuals also represent a group of higher risk for coronary artery disease with similar predictors as in DM2. Diabetic and prediabetics still develop renal microalbuminuria. Thus, PWV seems to represent a reliable marker of renal impairment and coronary artery disease.

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor for risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the REBOUND study

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as a noninvasive marker of arterial stiffness for the prediction of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This multicenter prospective observational study analyzed 2308 patients with type 2 diabetes between 2008 and 2018. The patients were categorized according to the quartiles of baPWV. Cause of mortality was determined using death certificates and patient clinical records. We estimated proportional mortality rates from all causes, cardiovascular, cancer, and other causes among adults with diabetic status according to their baPWV. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

There were 199 deaths (8.6%) in the study population during a median follow-up duration of 8.6 years. When baPWV was assessed as quartiles, a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 5.39, P < 0.001), cardiovascular-mortality (HR = 14.89, P < 0.001), cancer-mortality (HR = 5.42, P < 0.001), and other-cause mortality (HR = 4.12, P < 0.001) was found in quartile 4 (Q4, ≥ 1830 cm/s) than in quartiles 1–3 (Q1–3). Adding baPWV to baseline model containing conventional risk factors such as age, sex, diabetes duration, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, smoking, and insulin improved the risk prediction for all-cause (net reclassification index (NRI) = 49%, P < 0.001) and cause-specific (cardiovascular NRI = 28%, P = 0.030; cancer NRI = 55%, P < 0.001; other-cause NRI 51%, P < 0.001) mortality.

Conclusion

This long-term, large-scale, multicenter prospective observational cohort study provide evidence that increased arterial stiffness, as measured by baPWV, predicts the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in type 2 diabetes, supporting the prognostic utility of baPWV.

Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT 0005010. Retrospectively Registered May 12, 2020. https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=16677

Association Between Arterial Stiffness, Frailty and Fall-Related Injuries in Older Adults

Purpose

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between arterial stiffness, frailty and fall-related injuries among community-dwelling older adults.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study of a random sample of older adults aged 60 years and older was conducted. Main study parameters: arterial stiffness was measured by the determining the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI); Frailty status was defined using a 7-item frailty screening scale, developed in Russia. This questionnaire included question about falls and fall-related injuries. Orthostatic test and anthropometric tests were done. Medical history (comorbidity, medications), the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool (OST), nutritional, physical, cognitive and functional status were evaluated.

Results

The study population included 163 people aged 60–89 years. The average predicted value of CAVI in women aged 60–69 was 9.13 ± 0.13, in men, 9.49 ± 0.05; in women aged 70–79, it was 9.49 ± 0.16, in men, 9.73 ±0.11; in women aged 80 and older it was 10.04 ±0.18, in men, 10.24 ±0.10 units. The CAVI above the predicted value was associated with fall-related injuries even after adjustment for age, sex, use of β-blockers (BBs), history of stroke, and region of residence with the odds ratio 3.52 (95% CI: 1.03 −12.04).

Conclusion

Our study revealed an independent association between arterial stiffness and fall-related injuries in older adults over 60 years. The findings suggest that clinicians, especially geriatricians, should pay attention to arterial stiffness of patients with fall-related injuries. Similarly, the patients with CAVI above age-predicted value should be evaluated for risk of falls for prevention of fall-related injuries.

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Applications of arterial stiffness markers in peripheral arterial disease

Arterial stiffness has been analyzed in many different population groups with the objective of identifying cardiovascular risk early and performing specific therapeutic interventions. Increased arterial stiffness affects the capacity of the aorta and elastic arteries to adapt to pressure variations during the cardiac cycle. The main markers of arterial stiffness are pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) and central aortic pressure. They can be measured noninvasively. Patients with coronary disease or on hemodialysis who have elevated PWV or AIx have increased mortality. The association with peripheral arterial disease has been studied little. The objective of this review is to demonstrate the applicability and utility of assessing measures of arterial stiffness in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 association with subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes

AIM

To evaluate the association of serum FGF21 with subclinical atherosclerosis and pulse wave velocity, a marker of arterial stiffness, in type 2 diabetes Egyptian patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fasting serum FGF21 was measured in 120 type 2 diabetes patients without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (mean age 51.1 ± 7.7 years; 63.3 women). In addition to basic laboratory tests, serum adiponectin and ultrasonographic examination of CIMT, ankle brachial index (ABI) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were performed.

RESULTS

Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis have higher serum FGF21 than those without (218 ± 66.8 pg/mL Vs 170 ± 43.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001). FGF21 correlated positively with CIMT and cfPWV (P < 0.001) regardless of patient gender. In logistic regression analysis, circulating FGF21 was found to be an independent predictor for subclinical atherosclerosis (P = 0.023) in addition to dyslipidemia, hypertension and adiponectin. FGF21 was also found to be an independent determinant of cfPWV in stepwise multiple regression analysis. ROC curve analysis was done and cutoff high risk FGF21 level of 184 pg/mL for the prediction of subclinical atherosclerosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 66.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum FGF21 levels correlated with carotid intima media thickness and predict subclinical atherosclerosis. Serum FGF21 is also correlated positively with cfPWV and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients.

Relationship of Selected Adipokines with Markers of Vascular Damage in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

In this study we compared levels of selected adipokines between patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and healthy individuals and we determined their relationship with early vascular damage markers.

METHODS

Seventy-seven subjects: 56 patients with T2D (34 men and 22 women) and 21 healthy controls (8 men and 13 women) were examined in this cross-sectional study. Selected adipokines [adiponectin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP-9), and allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1)] with possible cardiovascular impact were measured in all participants. To identify markers of vascular damage von Willebrand factor (vWF), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and arterial stiffness parameters were examined in all the subjects.

RESULTS

When compared with healthy controls, T2D had significantly higher levels of A-FABP [50.0 (38.1-68.6) vs. 28.6 (23.6-32.9) ng/mL, P < 0.0001] and lower levels of adiponectin [5.9 (4.3-9.0) vs. 11.3 (8.7-14.8) μg/mL, P < 0.0001]. Differences in other adipokines were not statistically significant. Adiponectin level correlated negatively with vWF levels (ρ = -0.29, P < 0.05) and PAI-1 (ρ = -0.36, P < 0.05) and A-FABP positively with vWF (ρ = 0.61, P < 0.05) and PAI-1 (ρ = 0.47, P < 0.05) and augmentation index (ρ = 0.26, P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed independent association between A-FABP and vWF (b = 0.24, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T2D have significantly higher levels of A-FABP and lower levels of adiponectin. These adipokines correlate with indicators of vascular damage and could contribute to cardiovascular risk in patients with T2D. A-FABP may participate in direct endothelium damage.