Clinical Utility of Carotid Ultrasonography in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Diabetes: A Combined Analysis of Data Obtained in Five Longitudinal Studies

Common carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIM

To evaluate the relationship between common carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with prediabetes and new-onset diabetes mellitus without proven cardiovascular disease and some classic cardio-metabolic risk factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 461 obese patients with an average age of 53.2 ± 10.7 years, divided into three groups - group 1 without carbohydrate disturbances (n = 182), group 2 with prediabetes (n = 193) and group 3 with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (n = 86).

RESULTS

The patients with new-onset diabetes had significantly higher mean CIMT values compared to those with prediabetes or without carbohydrate disturbances and a higher frequency of abnormal IMT values. CIMT correlated significantly with age, systolic BP, diastolic BP and fasting blood glucose and showed a high predictive value for the presence of diabetic neuropathy and sudomotor dysfunction. Patients with abnormal CIMT values had a higher incidence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and sudomotor dysfunction. Patients who developed type 2 diabetes during follow-up had a significantly higher initial mean CIMT, which showed the highest predictive value for the risk of new-onset diabetes, with CIMT≥0.7 mm having 53 % sensitivity and 83 % specificity for the risk of progression to diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

Patients with new-onset diabetes mellitus had significantly greater intima media thickness of the common carotid artery and a greater frequency of abnormal CIMT values compared to those with normoglycemia and prediabetes. CIMT has a high predictive value for the presence of diabetic neuropathy, sudomotor dysfunction and the risk of new onset diabetes.

Association of Increased Inter-arm Blood Pressure Difference with Long-term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often have peripheral artery disease (PAD). It is well known that the long-term clinical outcomes of AMI are worse in patients with a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) than in patients with a preserved ABI. Unlike ABI, the association between the inter-arm blood pressure difference (IABPD) and clinical outcomes in patients with AMI has not yet been established. This retrospective study examined whether or not the IABPD is associated with long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. Methods We included 979 patients with AMI and divided them into a high-IABPD group (IABPD ≥10 mmHg, n=31) and a low-IABPD group (IABPD <10 mmHg, n=948) according to the IABPD measured during hospitalization for AMI. The primary endpoint was the all-cause mortality rate. Results During a median follow-up duration of 694 days (Q1, 296 days; Q3, 1,281 days), 82 all-cause deaths were observed. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that all-cause death was more frequently observed in the high-IABPD group than in the low-IABPD group (p<0.001). A multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that a high IABPD was significantly associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio 2.061, 95% confidence interval 1.012-4.197, p=0.046) after controlling for multiple confounding factors. Conclusion A high IABPD was significantly associated with long-term all-cause mortality in patients with AMI. Our results suggest the usefulness of the IABPD as a prognostic marker for patients with AMI.

Evaluation of changes in glycemic control and diabetic complications over time and factors associated with the progression of diabetic complications in Japanese patients with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in glycemic control and diabetic complications over time in Japanese patients with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus and to clarify the factors associated with the progression of diabetic complications.

METHODS

We tracked 129 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (21.8 ± 4.1 years old [mean ± SD] with a diabetes duration of 12.6 ± 5.7 years) for up to 19 years and analyzed data on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and indicators related to the severity of diabetic complications (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], urinary albumin excretion rate [UAE], carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT], and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV]) using linear mixed model and decision tree analysis.

RESULTS

Although the HbA1c and UAE levels improved over time, the eGFR, CIMT, and baPWV worsened. Decision tree analysis showed that HbA1c and the glycoalbumin/HbA1c ratio for eGFR; HbA1c and systolic blood pressure for UAE; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, glycoalbumin/HbA1c ratio, and body mass index (BMI) for CIMT; and HbA1c for baPWV were associated factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective observational study, glycemic control and albuminuria improved; however, renal function and arteriosclerosis worsened over time. HbA1c levels, glycemic excursion, and blood pressure are associated with nephropathy progression. HbA1c levels, glycemic excursion, lipid levels, and BMI are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis.

Continuous glucose monitoring-derived time in range and CV are associated with altered tissue characteristics of the carotid artery wall in people with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Previous studies have suggested that glucose variability may accelerate atherosclerosis progression in people with type 2 diabetes. Current guidelines recommend assessing glycaemic control using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which provides a comprehensive glycaemic profile to supplement HbA1c measurement. However, the association between CGM-derived metrics and atherosclerosis progression is not entirely clear.

METHODS

This exploratory study used baseline data and data obtained after 104 weeks from an ongoing prospective, multicentre, observational study. Six hundred study participants with type 2 diabetes and no apparent history of symptomatic cardiovascular disease underwent CGM and ultrasonographic atherosclerosis measurements of the carotid arteries, including the intima-media thickness (IMT) and grey-scale median (GSM), at baseline and 104 weeks. Non-invasive ultrasonic tissue characterisation of the carotid artery wall or plaque using the GSM reflects vascular composition. Multivariate regression models were used to analyse the association between CGM-derived indices, mainly time in range (TIR) and CV, and changes in carotid atherosclerosis index values.

RESULTS

Over the 104-week study period, there were modest increases in mean IMT (from 0.759±0.153 to 0.773±0.152 mm, p<0.001) and thickened-lesion GSM (from 43.5±19.5 to 53.9±23.5 units, p<0.001), but no significant changes in common carotid artery maximum-IMT (from 1.109±0.442 to 1.116±0.469 mm, p=0.453) or mean GSM (from 48.7±19.3 to 49.8±20.8 units, p=0.092). In a linear regression model with adjustment for possible atherosclerotic risk factors, including HbA1c, TIR and CV at baseline were significantly associated with the annual change in mean GSM (regression coefficient per 10% increase in TIR 0.52; 95% CI 0.06, 0.98; Hochberg-adjusted p value 0.038; regression coefficient per 1% increase in CV -0.12; 95% CI -0.22, -0.02; Hochberg-adjusted p value 0.038). TIR and CV at baseline were also significantly associated with the annual change in thickened-lesion GSM (regression coefficient per 10% increase in TIR 0.95; 95% CI 0.12, 1.79; Hochberg-adjusted p value 0.038; regression coefficient per 1% increase in CV -0.19; 95% CI -0.36, -0.01; Hochberg-adjusted p value 0.038). Participants who achieved target CGM-derived metrics at baseline, as proposed by an international consensus, showed significant annual changes in mean GSM compared with those who did not (0.94±6.88 vs -0.21±6.19 units/year, p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

TIR and CV were significantly associated with changes in the tissue characteristics of the carotid artery wall.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, number UMIN000032325.

Impact of 24-week dapagliflozin treatment on body weight, body composition, and cardiac risk indicators of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background/aim

To reveal the impacts of dapagliflozin, a sodium glucose transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i), on body weight and body composition, cardiovascular risk indices, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Materials and methods

The data of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who applied to Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders between September 2019 and 2020, and had started dapagliflozin treatment along with their current medications were recorded retrospectively. Body weights, body compositions measured through bioelectrical impedance, and CIMT with T2DM receiving SGLT-2i treatment and medication were measured at weeks 1, 12, and 24 of 42. The visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were used to determine the lipid measurements and anthropometric values.

Results

The mean change in the total body weight and total fat mass was -2.96 and -1.97 kg, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a reduction in total fat mass of 1.23 kg (from 31.4 to 29.3 kg, p < 0.001) and in body fat percentage of 2.5% (from 35.8% to 34.4%, p < 0.001) in the first 12 weeks. A mild increase was observed in both the total fat mass and body fat percentage between weeks 12 and 24, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.783 and p = 0.925, respectively), whereas there was a statistically significant reduction in high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), AIP, and CIMT values (p = 0.006, p = 0.035, and p = 0.007, respectively). No changes were observed in the VAI and LAP values (p = 0.985 and p = 0.636, respectively).

Conclusion

It was observed that dapagliflozin not only contributes to weight and fat loss but also has positive impacts on cardiovascular and atherosclerotic indicators.

Factors associated with carotid intima-media thickness progression in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: insights from the PRIZE study

Hyperuricemia is reportedly associated with the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate of cardiovascular risks and events. However, factors associated with carotid IMT progression in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia are largely unknown. In this post-hoc analysis of the multicenter, randomized PRIZE study, we analyzed data from a total of 326 patients who underwent carotid ultrasonography in a blind manner at baseline and 24 months to evaluate carotid IMT. Mean and maximum IMT at the common carotid artery (CCA) were measured at a central core laboratory. Factors related to the absolute change in mean and maximum IMT from baseline to 24 months were explored. Overall, the adjusted mean [0.0032 (- 0.0214 to 0.0278) mm] and maximum [0.0011 (- 0.0327 to 0.0351) mm] CCA-IMT increased numerically from baseline to 24 months. Multivariable analysis identified higher body mass index, history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and lower mean CCA-IMT at baseline as significant factors associated with the increase in mean CCA-IMT. In addition, older age and lower mean CCA-IMT at baseline were significant factors for an increased absolute change in the maximum CCA-IMT at 24 months. The present sub-analysis of the PRIZE study showed higher body mass index, history of ASCVD, and older age as significant factors associated with CCA-IMT progression in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. These factors may be considered when identifying the possible risk of atherosclerotic progression in this specific patient population of hyperuricemia.Trial registration: UMIN000012911 and UMIN000041322.

Association between carotid ultrasonographic parameters and microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between carotid ultrasonographic parameters and diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications.

METHODS

All published articles were searched in electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from the inception to May 27, 2023. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), carotid bifurcation intima-media thickness (CB-IMT), internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (ICA-IMT), carotid plaque, carotid plaque score, plaque number, plaque thickness, carotid atherosclerosis, and resistivity indices (RIs) of ultrasonographic parameters were assessed. The odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD), with the 95 % confidence interval (CI) were pooled to estimate the effect. Subgroup analyses were performed in terms of the type of diabetes and study design. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies involving 12,102 diabetic patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our findings suggested the associations between increased CCA-IMT and the risk of diabetic microvascular (WMD: 0.059, 95%CI: 0.026 to 0.091, P < 0.001) and macrovascular complications (WMD: 0.124, 95%CI: 0.061 to 0.187, P < 0.001) including cardiovascular events (OR: 2.362, 95%CI: 1.913 to 2.916, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses also elaborated an association between CCA-IMT and diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. The results of sensitivity analysis show that the association is relatively stable.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed associations between carotid ultrasonographic parameters and microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Application of the carotid ultrasonographic parameters could be a non-invasive method for the early detection of long-term complications of diabetes.

Tofogliflozin long-term effects on atherosclerosis progression and major clinical parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus lacking a history of cardiovascular disease: a 2-year extension study of the UTOPIA trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the long-term effects of tofogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, on atherosclerosis progression and major clinical parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes lacking an apparent history of cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational 2-year extension study of the "Using TOfogliflozin for Possible better Intervention against Atherosclerosis for type 2 diabetes patients (UTOPIA)" trial, a 2-year randomized intervention study. The primary endpoints represented changes in the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Secondary endpoints included brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and biomarkers for glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, renal function, and cardiovascular risks.

RESULTS

The mean IMT of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) significantly decreased in both the tofogliflozin (- 0.067 mm, standard error 0.009, p < 0.001) and conventional treatment groups (- 0.080 mm, SE 0.009, p < 0.001) throughout the follow-up period; however, no significant intergroup differences in the changes (0.013 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.012 to 0.037, p = 0.32) were observed in a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. baPWV significantly increased in the conventional treatment group (82.7 ± 210.3 cm/s, p = 0.008) but not in the tofogliflozin group (- 17.5 ± 221.3 cm/s, p = 0.54), resulting in a significant intergroup difference in changes (- 100.2 cm/s, 95% CI - 182.8 to - 17.5, p = 0.018). Compared to the conventional treatment group, tofogliflozin significantly improved the hemoglobin A1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and systolic blood pressure. The frequencies of total and serious adverse events did not vary significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Tofogliflozin was not associated with improved inhibition of carotid wall thickening but exerted long-term positive effects on various cardiovascular risk factors and baPWV while showing a good safety profile.

The Level of Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in Poland Depending on the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), increasingly diagnosed among the Polish population, is a combination of factors that are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery has been suggested as, simply, a non-invasive and reproducible marker of the early stages of the atherosclerotic process. The carotid IMT can also be a strong predictor of future cerebral and cardiovascular events. The aim of our study was to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions in carotid vessels in patients with MetS depending on the presence of DMt2 and to assess which demographic factors affect the level of IMT. The study involved 335 subjects diagnosed with MetS, including 211 females (65%) and 124 males (37%) aged 37-82. The diagnosis of MetS was made on the basis of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The patients were divided into two subgroups: with DMt2 and without DMt2. The value of IMT depended on gender, education, and smoking status. We noticed that patients with DMt2 had the highest measurement of IMT compared with other groups (1.01 vs. 0.98). Additionally, a statistically significant difference between the subgroup with DMt2 and those without DMt2 was found (1.01 vs. 0.92; p < 0.005). Ultrasound assessment of the carotid IMT should be used more often in the diagnosis and monitoring of high cardiovascular risk and early progression of atherosclerosis, especially in patients with MetS with current DMt2.

Subclinical cardiovascular disease and polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts approximately 6%-10% of women worldwide, with hallmark features of hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, infertility, and polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound. In addition, PCOS is associated with several endocrine and metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, which all increase the risk for subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), the presence of altered vascular endothelium without overt CVD. In this review, we summarize the most recent literature regarding subclinical CVD in women with PCOS, including markers such as flow-mediated dilation, arterial stiffness, coronary artery calcium scores, carotid intima-media thickness and visceral and epicardial fat.

Vascular ultrasound for cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with type-2 diabetes

AIMS

To identify new independent vascular markers to predict cardiovascular events in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D), and their incremental value compared to the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR) risk score.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1332 asymptomatic patients with T2D, free from prior CV event, assessed for a cardiovascular work-up, including Duplex ultrasonography to detect plaque on carotid and femoral arteries. The extent of atherosclerosis was rated as atherosclerosis burden score (ABS). Patients were followed up to 5 years and the occurrence of cardiovascular events recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients (6.2%) experienced a cardiovascular event, including 34 (2.6%) myocardial infarction, 18 (1.4%) cardiac revascularisation and 17 (1.3%) stroke. The independent determinants of these events were male sex (HR = 1.81 [1.13-2.88], p = 0.013) and ABS ≥ 2 (HR = 1.98 [1.21-3.25], p = 0.007). The NDR risk score performed poorly to predict cardiovascular events (area under the curve = 0.56 [0.49-0.63], p = 0.11), whereas screening for atherosclerotic plaques provided significant incremental prognostic value over the NDR score (model χ2 increase: +231%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Duplex ultrasonography to screen for atherosclerotic plaques improve the estimation of cardiovascular prognosis on top of clinical data and could be routinely used to improve cardiovascular risk stratification.

Association of Asymptomatic Low Ankle-Brachial Index with Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction

AIMS

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the well-known risk factor for cardiovascular events. Although low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is recognized as a risk factor in general population, low ABI without any symptoms of PAD has not been established as a prognostic marker in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) yet. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine whether asymptomatic low ABI was associated with long-term clinical outcomes in AMI patients without treatment history of PAD.

METHODS

We included 850 AMI patients without a history of PAD and divided them into the preserved ABI (ABI ≥ 0.9) group (n=760) and the reduced ABI (ABI ＜0.9) group (n=90) on the basis of the ABI measurement during the hospitalization. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for heart failure.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up duration of 497 days (Q1: 219 days to Q3: 929 days), a total of 152 MACE were observed. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that MACE were more frequently observed in the reduced ABI group than in the preserved ABI group (p＜0.001). The multivariate COX hazard analysis revealed that reduced ABI was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio 2.046, 95% confidence interval 1.344-3.144, p=0.001) after controlling confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced ABI was significantly associated with long-term adverse events in AMI patients without a history of PAD. Our results suggest the usefulness of ABI as a prognostic marker in AMI patients irrespective of symptomatic PAD.

Management of Kidney Failure in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: What Are the Best Options?

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most frequent cause of kidney failure (KF). There are large variations in the incidence rates of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Late referral to nephrology services has been associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. In many countries, when patients reach severely reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), they are managed by multidisciplinary teams led by nephrologists. In these clinics, efforts will continue to halt chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and to prevent cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In patients with diabetes and severely reduced GFR and KF, treating hyperglycemia is a challenge, since some drugs are contraindicated and most of them require dose adjustments. Even more, a decision-making process will help in deciding whether the patient would prefer comprehensive conservative care or KRT. On many occasions, this decision will be conditioned by diabetes mellitus itself. Effective education should cover the necessary information for the patient and family to answer these questions: 1. Should I go for KRT or not? 2. If the answer is KRT, dialysis and/or transplantation? 3. Dialysis at home or in center? 4. If dialysis at home, peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis? 5. If transplantation is desired, discuss the options of whether the donation would be from a living or deceased donor. This review addresses the determinant factors with an impact on DKD, aiming to shed light on the specific needs that arise in the management and recommendations on how to achieve a comprehensive approach to the diabetic patient with chronic kidney disease.

Association Between Diabetic Retinopathy and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Introduction

Patients with diabetes having advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) may predict future risk of coronary artery disease. To predict cardiovascular outcomes carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is utilized in diabetic patients. The aim of our study was the evaluation of the relationship between retinopathy and CIMT as two valuable non-invasive methods for early detection of micro- and macrovascular complication of diabetes.

Methods

This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the internal medicine ward of tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from November 2020 to January 2021. Three hundred patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 300 control subjects were enrolled in the study after taking informed consent. Ophthalmological examination was done to screen patients for DR. CIMT was evaluated by a Doppler ultrasound for both carotid arteries.

Results

Carotid artery intimal thickness was more in patients with retinopathy compared to patients without retinopathy in both right (0.77 ± 0.16 vs. 0.66 ± 0.12; p-value: <0.0001) and left carotid artery (0.77 ± 0.15 vs. 0.65 ± 0.11; p-value: <0.0001).

Conclusion

In our study, there was a correlation between DR and CIMT. Screening for DR, which may be a potential early marker for complications, may help detect patients at risk of various macro and microvascular complications.

Associations of continuous glucose monitoring-assessed glucose variability with intima-media thickness and ultrasonic tissue characteristics of the carotid arteries: a cross-sectional analysis in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

The association between glucose variability and the progression of atherosclerosis is not completely understood. We aimed to evaluate the associations of glucose variability with the progression of atherosclerosis in the early stages.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to investigate the associations of glucose variability, assessed by continuous glucose monitoring, with intima-media thickness (IMT) and gray-scale median (GSM) of the carotid arteries, which are different indicators for the progression of atherosclerosis. We used baseline data from a hospital-based multicenter prospective observational cohort study among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes without a history of cardiovascular diseases aged between 30 and 80 years. Continuous glucose monitoring was performed by Freestyle Libre Pro, and glucose levels obtained every 15 min for a maximum of eight days were used to calculate the metrics of glucose variability. IMT and GSM were evaluated by ultrasonography, and the former indicates thickening of intima-media complex in the carotid artery wall, while the latter indicates tissue characteristics.

RESULTS

Among 600 study participants (age: 64.9 ± 9.2 (mean ± SD) years; 63.2%: men; HbA1c: 7.0 ± 0.8%), participants with a larger intra- and inter-day glucose variability had a lower GSM and most of these associations were statistically significant. No trend based on glucose variability was shown regarding IMT. Standard deviation of glucose (regression coefficient, β = - 5.822; 95% CI - 8.875 to - 2.768, P < 0.001), glucose coefficient of variation (β = - 0.418; - 0.685 to - 0.151, P = 0.002), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (β = - 1.689; - 2.567 to - 0.811, P < 0.001), mean of daily differences (β = - 6.500; - 9.758 to - 3.241, P < 0.001), and interquartile range (β = - 4.289; - 6.964 to - 1.614, P = 0.002) had a statistically significant association with mean-GSM after adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, including HbA1c. No metrics of glucose variability had a statistically significant association with IMT.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous glucose monitoring-assessed glucose variability was associated with the tissue characteristics of the carotid artery wall in type 2 diabetes patients without cardiovascular diseases.

Do individuals with autoimmune disease have increased risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and stiffness?

To explore the role of chronic inflammation inherent to autoimmune diseases in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, this study recruited two population-based samples of individuals with and without autoimmune disease (ratio 1:5) matched by age, sex, and education level and with a longstanding (≥6 years) diagnosis of autoimmune disease. Common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial distensibility and compliance were assessed with carotid ultrasound. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for 10-year cardiovascular risk. In total, 546 individuals with and without autoimmune diseases (91 and 455, respectively) were included. The mean age was 66 years (standard deviation 12), and 240 (43.9%) were women. Arterial stiffness did not differ according to the presence of autoimmune diseases. In men, the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases significantly increased common carotid IMT [beta-coefficient (95% confidence interval): 0.058 (0.009; 0.108); p value = 0.022] and the percentage with IMT ≥ 75th percentile [1.012 (0.145; 1.880); p value = 0.022]. Women without autoimmune disease were more likely to have IMT ≥ the 75th percentile [-2.181 (-4.214; -0.149); p value = 0.035], but the analysis of IMT as a continuous variable did not yield significant results. In conclusion, subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, but not arterial stiffness, was more common in men with autoimmune diseases. Women did not show significant differences in any of these carotid features. Sex was an effect modifier in the association between common carotid IMT values and the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.

Cardiometabolic Risk in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Guidelines

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women and is associated with an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, venous thromboembolism, and subclinical atherosclerosis. Clinicians and patients alike need to be aware of these increased risks as well as new international guidelines that recommend frequent screening and active management of metabolic abnormalities. Given that the data on risk of cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, in women with PCOS is mixed, future large-scale, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these potential risks.

Traditional and non-traditional risk factors for peripheral artery disease development/progression in patients with type 2 diabetes: the Rio de Janeiro type 2 diabetes cohort study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic importance of non-traditional risk factors for peripheral artery disease (PAD) development/progression is scarcely studied in diabetes. We investigated if carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) added prognostic information beyond traditional cardiovascular risk markers for PAD outcomes.

METHODS

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured at baseline and after a median of 91 months of follow-up in 681 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Multivariate Cox regressions examined the associations between the candidate variables and the outcome. PAD development/progression was defined by a reduction in ABI ≥ 0.15 (to a level < 0.9) or limb revascularization procedures, lower-extremity amputations or death due to PAD. The improvement in risk discrimination was assessed by increases in C-statistics of the models.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients developed/progressed PAD: 50 reduced ABI to < 0.9, seven had lower-limb revascularizations, and 20 had amputations or death. Age, male sex, diabetes duration, presence of microvascular complications (peripheral neuropathy and diabetic kidney disease), baseline HbA_1c, 24-h systolic BP (SBP) and mean cumulative office SBP and LDL-cholesterol were associated with PAD development/progression in several models. CIMT and cf-PWV were additionally associated with PAD outcomes, and their inclusion further improved risk discrimination (with C-statistic increases between 0.025 and 0.030). The inclusion of ambulatory 24-h SBP, instead of office SBP, also improved PAD risk discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased CIMT and aortic stiffness are associated with greater risks of developing/progressing PAD, beyond traditional risk factors, in type 2 diabetes.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness, HDL cholesterol levels, and gender associated with poor visual acuity in patients with branch retinal artery occlusion

PURPOSE

To investigate factors associated with poor visual acuity (VA) in branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 72 eyes with BRAO of 72 patients. For statistical comparison, we divided the patients into worse-VA (decimal VA < 0.5) and better-VA (decimal VA > = 0.5) groups. We examined the association of clinical findings, including blood biochemical test data and carotid artery ultrasound parameters, with poor VA.

RESULTS

Median age, hematocrit, hemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) differed significantly between the groups (P = 0.018, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P = 0.025). There was a tendency towards higher median IMT-Bmax in the worse-VA group (worse-VA vs. better-VA: 2.70 mm vs. 1.60 mm, P = 0.152). Spearman's rank correlation test revealed that logMAR VA was significantly correlated to IMT-Bmax (rs = 0.31, P < 0.01) and IMT-Cmax (rs = 0.24, P = 0.035). Furthermore, logMAR VA was significantly correlated to HDL level (rs = -0.33, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that IMT-Bmax (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70, P = 0.049), HDL level (OR = 0.91, P = 0.032), and female gender (OR = 15.63, P = 0.032) were independently associated with worse VA in BRAO.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that increased IMT-Bmax, decreased HDL, and female sex were associated with poor VA in BRAO patients. Our findings might suggest novel risk factors for visual dysfunction in BRAO and may provide new insights into the pathomechanisms underlying BRAO.

Identification of Plasma Inositol and Indoxyl Sulfate as Novel Biomarker Candidates for Atherosclerosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. -Findings from Metabolome Analysis Using GC/MS

AIM

An identification of the high-risk group of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is important in the management of patients with diabetes. Metabolomics is a potential tool for the discovery of new biomarkers. With this background, we aimed to identify metabolites associated with atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A total of 176 patients with T2DM who have never had a CVD event and 40 who were survivors of coronary artery disease (CAD) events were enrolled. Non-targeted metabolome analysis of fasting plasma samples was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) highly optimized for multiple measurement of blood samples. First, metabolites were screened by analyzing the association with the established markers of subclinical atherosclerosis (i.e., carotid maximal intima-media thickness (max-IMT) and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD)) in the non-CVD subjects. Then, the associations between the metabolites detected and the history of CAD were investigated.

RESULT

A total of 65 annotated metabolites were detected. Non-parametric univariate analysis identified inositol and indoxyl sulfate as significantly (p＜0.05) associated with both max-IMT and FMD. These metabolites were also significantly associated with CAD. Moreover, inositol remained to be associated with CAD even after adjustments for traditional coronary risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified novel biomarker candidates for atherosclerosis in Japanese patients with T2DM using GC/MS-based non-targeted metabolomics.

Effects of Evolocumab on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Clinical Parameters in Patients Taking a Statin

We determined the effects of evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the factors associated with the change in carotid IMT in patients taking a statin. The change in carotid mean and maximum IMT before and after the initiation of evolocumab treatment was retrospectively analyzed in 229 statin-treated patients. The changes in clinical parameters, including serum lipid concentrations, were also evaluated. Evolocumab significantly reduced the increase in carotid mean and maximum IMT (0.09 ± 0.13 mm/year to -0.04 ± 0.16 mm/year, p < 0.001 and 0.17 ± 0.38 mm/year to 0.08 ± 0.47 mm/year, p = 0.02). Evolocumab reduced serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein (a) concentrations (each p < 0.001), and increased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations (p = 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the change in HDL-cholesterol (standard coefficient (β) = -0.120, p = 0.04) and carotid mean IMT (β = -0.467, p < 0.001) were independently correlated with the change in carotid mean IMT during the administration of evolocumab, whereas the change in HDL-cholesterol (β = -0.208, p = 0.002) and log-triglyceride (β = -0.167, p = 0.01) independently correlated with the change in carotid maximum IMT. Evolocumab reduced the increase in carotid IMT in patients taking a statin. These results suggest that evolocumab is protective against carotid atherosclerosis in patients undergoing statin therapy.

Tofogliflozin does not delay progression of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes: a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparative study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of tofogliflozin, a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, on atherosclerosis progression in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients without apparent cardiovascular disease (CVD) by monitoring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, multicenter, parallel-group, comparative study included 340 subjects with T2DM and no history of apparent CVD recruited at 24 clinical units. Subjects were randomly allocated to either the tofogliflozin treatment group (n = 169) or conventional treatment group using drugs other than SGLT2 inhibitors (n = 171). Primary outcomes were changes in mean and maximum common carotid IMT measured by echography during a 104-week treatment period.

RESULTS

In a mixed-effects model for repeated measures, the mean IMT of the common carotid artery (mean-IMT-CCA), along with the right and left maximum IMT of the CCA (max-IMT-CCA), significantly declined in both the tofogliflozin (- 0.132 mm, SE 0.007; - 0.163 mm, SE 0.013; - 0.170 mm, SE 0.020, respectively) and the control group (- 0.140 mm, SE 0.006; - 0.190 mm, SE 0.012; - 0.190 mm, SE 0.020, respectively). Furthermore, the tofogliflozin and the conventional treatment group did not significantly differ in the progression of the mean-IMT-CCA (mean change (95% CI) 0.008 (- 0.009, 0.025) mm, P = 0.34), along with the right (mean change (95% CI) 0.027 (- 0.005, 0.059) mm, P = 0.10) and the left max-IMT-CCA (mean change (95% CI) 0.020 (- 0.030, 0.070), P = 0.43). Similar findings were obtained even after adjusting for traditional CV risk factors and/or administration of drugs at baseline. Relative to the control treatment effects, tofogliflozin significantly reduced the HbA1c, blood glucose level, body weight/body mass index, abdominal circumference, and systolic blood pressure, and significantly increased the HDL-C. The total and serious adverse events incidences did not significantly vary between the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

No IMT changes were observed between the tofogliflozin and the conventional treatment groups. However, tofogliflozin is a safe and effective treatment option for managing primary CVD risk factors in this population. Clinical Trial Registration UMIN000017607 ( https://www.umin.ac.jp/icdr/index.html ).

Recent Updates on Vascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

It is well known that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) complications. Previously, the concept that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a "coronary artery disease (CAD) risk equivalent" was widely accepted, implying that all DM patients should receive intensive management. However, considerable evidence exist for wide heterogeneity in the risk of CV events among T2DM patients and the concept of a "CAD risk equivalent" has changed. Recent guidelines recommend further CV risk stratification in T2DM patients, with treatment tailored to the risk level. Although imaging modalities for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) have been used to improve risk prediction, there is currently no evidence that imaging-oriented therapy improves clinical outcomes. Therefore, controversy remains whether we should screen for CVD in asymptomatic T2DM. The coexistence of T2DM and heart failure (HF) is common. Based on recent CV outcome trials, sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists are recommended who have established ASCVD, indicators of high risk, or HF because of their demonstrated benefits for CVD. These circumstances have led to an increasing emphasis on ASCVD and HF in T2DM patients. In this review, we examine the literature published within the last 5 years on the risk assessment of CVD in asymptomatic T2DM patients. In particular, we review recent guidelines regarding screening for CVD and research focusing on the role of coronary artery calcium, coronary computed tomography angiography, and carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic T2DM patients.

Soluble ST2 is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case-control study

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is a free form of membrane-bound ST2, which is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family. Previous research has shown that sST2 is associated with diabetes, but cardiovascular risk factors have not been established.To analyze the relationship between sST2 and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).After screening, a total of 118 subjects with T2DM were divided into 2 groups according to the measurement of CIMT (normal CIMT (NCIMT), n = 58; abnormal CIMT (ACIMT), n = 60), and 60 healthy subjects (normal control (NC), n = 60) were recruited in this study. CIMT was measured by a color Doppler ultrasound, and sST2 and other metabolic parameters were measured as well.The median concentration of sST2 was elevated in the ACIMT group (31.30 ng/ml) compared with the NCIMT group (28.29 ng/ml, P < .01) and the NC group (20.15 ng/ml, P < .01). After adjustment for age and sex, log sST2 was strongly associated with smoking history (β = 0.197, 95% CI, 0.084-0.311, P < .01), FPG level (β = 0.302, 95% CI, 0.162-0.442, P < .01) and HbA1c level (β = 0.296, 95% CI, 0.165-0.426, P < .01) and negatively correlated with HDL level (β = -0.153, 95% CI, -0.259 to -0.046, P < .01). Furthermore, sST2 level was a risk factor for increased CIMT in patients with T2DM.Increased sST2 level not only was associated with indicators of glucose and lipid metabolism but also was a risk factor for increased CIMT in patients with T2DM. Thus, sST2 may be a potential novel marker to assess the progression of diabetic macrovascular complications.

High sdLDL Cholesterol can be Used to Reclassify Individuals with Low Cardiovascular Risk for Early Intervention: Findings from the Chinese Multi-Provincial Cohort Study

Aim: A high-risk strategy has been implemented for lipid-lowering therapy in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events are common among individuals with low cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to determine whether the small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDLC) level can predict carotid atherosclerosis progression and identify high-risk individuals.

Methods: Baseline sdLDLC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were measured in 808 particip ants from the Chinese Multi-provincial Cohort Study, aged 45–74 years. Adjusted relative risk was calculated using a modified Poisson regression model to assess the relationship between sdLDLC and 5-year atherosclerosis progression, as indicated by the progression, incidence, and multi-territorial extent of carotid plaque.

Results: The 5-year atherosclerosis progression increased significantly with increased sdLDLC. Baseline sdLDLC was significantly associated with the short-term risk of plaque progression after multivariable adjustment, even in participants with low LDLC or a 10-year estimated cardiovascular risk. sdLDLC predicted plaque progression (relative risk 2.05; 95% confidence interval 1.43–2.93) in participants with LDLC < 130 mg/dL. Furthermore, participants with the highest sdLDLC but intermediate or low cardiovascular risk (accounting for 16% of the cohort) had double the risk of plaque progression, which was comparable to those with the same sdLDLC and high cardiovascular risk, relative to those with the lowest sdLDLC levels and low cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions: sdLDLC is independently associated with the progression of carotid atherosclerosis, which may provide a basis for clinicians to reclassify individuals believed to be at low cardiovascular risk into the high-risk category, and those with high sdLDLC may benefit from more aggressive cholesterol-lowering treatment.

Carotid ultrasound investigation as a prognostic tool for patients with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Experimental and clinical data indicate a major influence of diabetes on atherogenesis. We aimed to assess whether the effect of diabetes on long-term mortality in asymptomatic patient with carotid stenosis is contingent upon the degree of the carotid atherosclerotic burden.

METHODS

1065 patients with neurological asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis as evaluated by duplex sonography were prospectively followed for cause-specific mortality.

RESULTS

During a median of 11.8 years, a total of 549 deaths, including 362 cardiovascular deaths, were recorded. Diabetes and glycohemoglobin A1c (Hba1c) levels were significantly associated with mortality. Diabetes displayed an independent risk for all-cause (adjusted HR 1.62; 95% CI 1.35-1.94) and cardiovascular death (adjusted HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.40-2.19). The adjusted hazard ratio per increase of 1% of Hba1c levels was 1.21 (P < 0.01) for all-cause and 1.31 (P < 0.01) for cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Patients with diabetes mellitus and a higher degree of carotid stenosis and were at great risk of adverse outcome. Only 21% of the asymptomatic diabetic patients with carotid narrowing over 50% survived, whereas 62% of the patients without diabetes and with carotid atherosclerosis below 50% were still alive after 12-years of follow-up. The high risk for all-cause and cardiovascular death of these patients remained significant after adjustment for various established cardiovascular risk factors in multivariable regression analysis (adjusted hazard ratio 2.4, P < 0.001; compared to patients without diabetes and < 50% carotid atherosclerosis).

CONCLUSION

Diabetic patients with carotid stenosis ≥ 50% are at exceptional high risk for all-cause and cardiovascular death. Thus, routinely ultrasound investigation of the carotid arteries might be a valuable prognostic tool for patients with diabetes mellitus.

Clinical utility of carotid ultrasonography: Application for the management of patients with diabetes

Carotid ultrasonography is a non-invasive, simple and inexpensive modality to assess the severity of atherosclerosis. This article reviews related articles, summarizes the rationale for the application of carotid ultrasonography in clinical practice, and addresses the features and the limitations of carotid ultrasonography in cardiovascular risk prediction. Numerous large studies have confirmed that various carotid ultrasound measures, such as carotid intima-media thickness, the presence or absence of carotid plaque, plaque number and plaque area, can be independent predictors of cardiovascular diseases in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, many studies showed that the use of carotid intima-media thickness (especially maximum intima-media thickness, including plaque thickness) and/or carotid plaque in addition to traditional risk factors significantly improved the prediction of the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, while controversy remains. Several studies showed that the progression of carotid intima-media thickness also can be a surrogate end-point of cardiovascular events. However, the accumulated evidence has not been sufficient. Further study with sufficient power should be carried out. As plaque disruption, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events, is dependent on the content of lipid in the atheroma and the thickness of the fibrous cap, tissue characterization of a plaque might be useful for determining its fragility. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that ultrasonic tissue characterization of carotid lesions could improve the prediction ability of future cardiovascular diseases. Thus, carotid ultrasonography is a useful modality for better clinical practice of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.

Prognostic impact of carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques on the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes: the Rio de Janeiro type 2 diabetes cohort study

Background

The prognostic importance of carotid atherosclerosis in individuals with diabetes is unsettled. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between parameters of carotid atherosclerosis and the future occurrence of micro- and cardiovascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Ultrasonographic parameters of carotid atherosclerosis, intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaques, were measured at baseline in 478 participants who were followed-up for a median of 10.8 years. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to examine the associations between carotid parameters and the occurrence of microvascular (retinopathy, renal, and peripheral neuropathy) and cardiovascular complications (total cardiovascular events [CVEs] and cardiovascular mortality), and all-cause mortality. The improvement in risk stratification was assessed by using the C-statistic and the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) index.

Results

During follow-up, 116 individuals had a CVE and 115 individuals died (56 from cardiovascular diseases); 131 newly-developed or worsened diabetic retinopathy, 156 achieved the renal composite outcome (94 newly developed microalbuminuria and 78 deteriorated renal function), and 83 newly-developed or worsened peripheral neuropathy. CIMT, either analysed as a continuous or as a categorical variable, and presence of plaques predicted CVEs occurrence and renal outcomes, but not mortality or other microvascular complications. Individuals with an increased CIMT and plaques had a 1.5- to 1.8-fold increased risk of CVEs and a 1.6-fold higher risk of renal outcome. CIMT and plaques modestly improved cardiovascular risk discrimination over classic risk factors, with IDIs ranging from 7.8 to 8.4%; but more markedly improved renal risk discrimination, with IDIs from 14.8 to 18.5%.

Conclusions

Carotid atherosclerosis parameters predicted cardiovascular and renal outcomes, and improved renal risk stratification. Ultrasonographic carotid imaging may be useful in type 2 diabetes management.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis

Aim: Inflammatory arthritis (IA) diseases are relevant with subclinical atherosclerosis, but the data in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to explore the relationship between the marker of subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)) and AS.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review using PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) databases up to March 2018. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between carotid IMT and AS. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression were applied to explore the sources of heterogeneity, and publication bias was calculated to access the quality of pooled studies.

Results: A total of 24 articles were collected. The carotid IMT was significantly increased in AS compared with healthy controls (SMD = 0.725, 95% CI = 0.443–1.008, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) was the source of heterogeneity. Notably, IMT was not significantly increased in those studies that included > 50% patients treated with anti-TNF. Meta-regression revealed severe inflammation status (BASDAI and C-reactive protein (CRP)) could significantly impact carotid IMT in AS.

Conclusions: Carotid IMT was significantly increased in patients with AS compared with healthy controls, which suggested subclinical atherosclerosis is related to AS.

High iliac calcium score is associated with increased severity and complexity of peripheral arterial disease and predicts global atherosclerotic burden

BACKGROUND

The role of vascular calcifications in iliac arteries for predicting global atherosclerotic burden in still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether iliac calcium score (ICS), a new computed tomographic angiography (CTA) derived biomarker of vascular calcification, can predict the severity and complexity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as well as the global atherosclerotic burden.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a single centre, non-randomized, observational prospective study on 84 consecutive patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, undergoing peripheral CTA examination of the lower limbs, divided into high (n = 42) and low ICS (n = 42) groups with a median value for ICS of 3934 HU.

RESULTS

Patients with high ICS were significantly older (66.2 ± 8.0 vs. 62.8 ± 11.2, p < 0.0001) and were more frequently diabetic (61.9 vs. 38.1 %, p = 0.04). ICS was significantly higher in patients with Rutherford stage 5-6 vs. 1-2 (p = 0.03) and in TASC D or TASC C vs. TASC B class (p = 0.01). Mean iliac intima-media thickness (i-IMT) was significantly higher in the high ICS group compared to the low ICS group (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.0001). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a very good correlation between ICS and i-IMT (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001 for right, r = 0.57, p < 0.0001 for left and r = 0.67, p < 0.0001 for both iliac arteries averaged). Patients with high ICS presented a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction compared to those with low ICS (45.3 ± 4.3 vs. 53.8 ± 4.8, p < 0.0001). Linear regression analysis demonstrated significant inverse correlation between ICS and left ventricular EF (r = -0.54, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased values of ICS, a new CTA marker of vascular calcification, are associated with a higher severity and complexity of PAD and a more depressed left ventricular function. High ICS values are also associated with increased i-IMT. Both can represent new surrogate markers of an increased atherosclerotic burden.