Aortic elastic properties are related to left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function and its relation to aortic wall stiffness in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus without coronary artery disease or hypertension.

PATIENTS

Sixty-six patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus were examined by echocardiography and divided into two groups according to the diastolic filling pattern determined by mitral annulus tissue Doppler velocities. Group A patients (n = 21) presented diastolic dysfunction with a peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em)/peak late diastolic mitral annular velocity (Am) ratio <1 whereas in group B patients (n = 45) the Em/Am ratio was >1. Coronary artery disease was excluded based on normal thallium scintigraphy. Aortic stiffness index was calculated from aortic diameters measured by echocardiography, using accepted criteria.

RESULTS

Aortic stiffness index differed significantly among the two groups. Significant correlations were found between parameters of left ventricular diastolic function (Em/Am, isovolumic relaxation time, deceleration time) and aortic stiffness index. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis revealed aortic stiffness index (beta = -0.39, p = 0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time (beta = -0.46, p < 0.001) as the main predictors of Em/Am ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic stiffness is increased in type 1 diabetic patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This impairment in aortic elastic properties seems to be related to parameters of diastolic function.