PULSE PRESSURE SIGNIFICANTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY CORRELATES WITH CAROTID PULSE WAVE VELOCITY AND BETA-STIFFNESS INDEX IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Objective: Introduction: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and beta-stiffness index (BSI) are the most popular echo-tracking parameters indicating increased carotid stiffness. Pulse pressure (PP) values turns out to be higher in patients with increased indices of arterial stiffness and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This is of greater importance for patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Aim: To find out correlation between the pulse pressure and carotid stiffness indices. Design and method: 100 patients with T2DM without overt cardio-vascular diseases and 30 healthy age and sex matched controls were included in the study. All participants underwent carotid examination of PWV and BSI, by echo-tracking method with Aloka Hitachi Prosound alfa-7. Patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and history of CV diseases were excluded from the study. Results: Pulse pressure significantly correlated with left carotid artery PWV (r = 0.43; p = 0.0001) and BSI (r = 0.44; p = 0.001) and right carotid artery PWV (r = 0.38; p = 0.001), BSI (r = 0.39; p = 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis with independent variable PWV, revealed that PP remained a significant and independent determinant (B = 5.78; p < 0.0001), similar to systolic blood pressure (B = 2.97; p = 0.003). Conclusions: PP is among the most important independent determinants associated with increased carotid stiffness in patients with T2DM without cardiovascular complications and with well controlled blood pressure. PP may serve as an early marker of increased cardiovascular risk in patients with T2DM.