Arteries In Diabetic Patients Research Articles

Aspects of Coronary Angiography in Diabetic Patients at the CHU Mother and Child Luxembourg in Bamako

<i>Introduction</i>: Type 2 diabetes is on the increase in Africa as a result of the epidemiological transition. Cardiovascular complications, particularly ischemic complications, are common in diabetic patients. They are life-threatening. It is important to identify the angiographic appearance of the coronary arteries in diabetic patients in order to guide treatment. <i>Objective</i>: to identify the results of coronary angiography in diabetic patients. <i>Patients and method</i>: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with retrospective recruitment over a three-year period from September 2019 to August 2022. All diabetic patients who underwent coronary angiography at the CHU mother child Luxembourg in Bamako were included. <i>Results</i>: We enrolled 371 patients out of 985 during the study period, i.e. a hospital frequency rate of 37.66%. The mean age of the patients was 60.76 +/- 10.26 years, with extremes of 32 and 84 years. They were predominantly male, with a sex ratio of 1.45. The predominant functional signs were typical chest pain (39.4%), atypical chest pain (27.8%) and dyspnea (13.2%). The predominant risk factors were hypertension (74.7%), sedentary lifestyle (48.8%) and smoking (17.5%). The indications for coronary angiography were chronic coronary syndrome (55%) and acute coronary syndrome (45%). Coronary angiography was pathological in 78.4% of patients, with tritruncular lesions in 38% and bi-truncal lesions in 21%. Lesions were located on the common trunk in 5.4%, on the anterior interventricular in 59.8%, on the right coronary in 51.8% and on the circumflex in 47.4%. <i>Conclusion</i>: Ischemic heart disease is common in diabetic patients with tri- and bi-truncular lesions.

Evaluation of Feasibility of Medial Plantar Artery Flap With Computed Tomography Angiography in Diabetic Patients: A Pilot Radioanatomic Study.

Background A soft tissue defect resulting from a diabetic heel ulcer can be difficult to address due to limited reconstructive options and unique local area demand. The medial plantar artery flap is ideal for heel defect coverage as it provides a thick glabrous skin with good sensory feedback. The prerequisite of medial plantar artery flap surgery is a patent medial plantar artery, which is a branch of the posterior tibial artery (PTA). Nevertheless, no feasibility study of the medial plantar artery flap in diabetic patients with vascular insufficiency has been reported so far. We conducted a pilot study with the aim of investigating the patency of the medial plantar artery in diabetic patients with suspected peripheral artery disease to determine the vascular feasibility of the medial plantar artery flap in these patients. Material and methods A pilot study was performed at Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). A total of 15 diabetic patients with suspected vascular insufficiencywho had undergone lower limb computed tomography angiography (CTA) from January 2022 to June 2023 were included in this study. All patients were identified via the electronic record system.Lower limb CTA images were retrieved from the Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and were double-reviewed.Both the posterior tibial artery (PTA) and medial plantar artery (MPA) were assessed for their patency, and the diameter of the lumens was measured if they were patent. Bedside clinical assessments such as palpation of pulses and portable Doppler assessment were evaluated to determine whether they could serve as substitutes for computed tomography angiography (CTA) in assessing the feasibility of medial plantar artery flap using the McNemar test. Results In this study cohort, the medial plantar artery was present in 16 legs and absent in another 14 legs. The largest diameter of the medial plantar artery was 2.5mm (range 0-2.5mm). Palpation of the posterior tibial artery was not optimal for predicting the patency of the medial plantar artery, with a false positive of 21.4% and a false negative of 68.7%. Similarly, a hand-held Doppler assessment of the posterior tibial artery was also ineffective, with a false positive of 64.3% and a false negative of 18.8%. While the medial plantar artery is a continuation of the posterior tibial artery (PTA), PTA patency did not necessarily correlate with medial plantar artery patency. This was demonstrated on CTA assessment, where two legs with absent PTA still have reconstitution, resulting in patency of the medial plantar artery. Additionally, one leg with patent PTA did not have a patent medial plantar artery distally due to calcified vessels. Conclusion This is a first-of-its-kind pilot study attempting to determine the feasibility of medial plantar artery in diabetic patients with vascular insufficiency. The medial plantar artery was present in more than 50% of the investigated lower limbs, paving the way for using the medial plantar artery flap in these patients. Nevertheless, a computed tomography angiogram is essential to determine the patency of the medial plantar artery prior to the flap procedure, as palpation and hand-held Doppler were inadequate to predict the patency of the medial plantar artery in these high-risk patients.

Bilateral versus single internal mammary artery in diabetic patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data on bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) versus single internal mammary artery (SIMA) on diabetics were analyzed; This is the only meta-analysis, the last 7 years. Medline through PubMed/EMBASE/CINHAL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; 179 articles were studied; 19 studies deemed suitable and were included in the analysis. The mortality was 2.41% for BIMA versus 1.71% for SIMA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-1.22). Postoperative reopening for bleeding was higher at 3.75% for BIMA versus 2.91% for SIMA (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.15-1.93). The incidence of MI was 0.87% for BIMA versus 0.83% for SIMA (OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.37-1.44). Deep sternal wound infection was 3.02% for BIMA and 1.95% for SIMA (OR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.26-1.95). When skeletonized, the incidence of DSWI was 2.5% for BIMA versus 2.41% for SIMA. There was a significant difference at 5-year survival favoring the BIMA, 85.15% BIMA versus 80.77% SIMA (OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.60-2.01). The 10-year overall survival was 74.04% BIMA versus 61.57% SIMA (OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.61-1.98). The 15-year survival was 47.08% for BIMA versus 37.06% for SIMA (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.52-1.88). Postoperative bleeding was higher in BIMA group. Bilateral internal mammary artery in diabetic patients should be carried out in a skeletonize fashion, to reduce DSWI. There is a survival benefit of using BIMA in diabetics within 5 years of surgery; it remains significant up to 15 years.

Reduced reactive hyperemia of the brachial artery in diabetic patients assessed by repeated measurements: The FMD-J B study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of microvascular dysfunction. However, its effect on blood flow patterns during ischemic demand has not been adequately elucidated. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that microvascular dysfunction in patients with T2DM manifests as brachial reactive hyperemia (BRH), defined as the ratio of peak blood flow velocities in a brachial artery before and after forearm cuff occlusion. The study enrolled 943 subjects (men, n = 152 [T2DM] and n = 371 [non-T2DM]; women, n = 107 [T2DM] and n = 313 [non-T2DM], respectively) with no history of cardiovascular disease. Semiautomatic measurements were obtained three times at 1.5-year intervals to confirm the reproducibility of factors involved in BRH for each sex. An age-adjusted mixed model demonstrated attenuated BRH in the presence of T2DM in both men (p = 0.022) and women (p = 0.031) throughout the study period. Post hoc analysis showed that the estimated BRH was significantly attenuated in patients with T2DM regardless of sex, except at baseline in women. In multivariate regression analysis, T2DM was a negative predictor of BRH at every measurement in men. For women, BRH was more strongly associated with alcohol consumption. Repeated measurements analysis revealed that T2DM was associated with attenuated postocclusion reactive hyperemia.

Global trans-lesional computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve gradient is associated with clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease

BackgroundCoronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) enables physiological assessment and risk stratification, which is of significance in diabetic patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). We aim to evaluate prognostic value of the global trans-lesional CT-FFR gradient (GΔCT-FFR), a novel metric, in patients with diabetes without flow-limiting stenosis.MethodsPatients with diabetes suspected of having CAD were prospectively enrolled. GΔCT-FFR was calculated as the sum of trans-lesional CT-FFR gradient in all epicardial vessels greater than 2 mm. Patients were stratified into low-gradient without flow-limiting group (CT-FFR > 0.75 and GΔCT-FFR < 0.20), high-gradient without flow-limiting group (CT-FFR > 0.75 and GΔCT-FFR ≥ 0.20), and flow-limiting group (CT-FFR ≤ 0.75). Discriminant ability for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) prediction was compared among 4 models [model 1: Framingham risk score; model 2: model 1 + Leiden score; model 3: model 2 + high-risk plaques (HRP); model 4: model 3 + GΔCT-FFR] to determine incremental prognostic value of GΔCT-FFR.ResultsOf 1215 patients (60.1 ± 10.3 years, 53.7% male), 11.3% suffered from MACE after a median follow-up of 57.3 months. GΔCT-FFR (HR: 2.88, 95% CI 1.76–4.70, P < 0.001) remained independent risk factors of MACE in multivariable analysis. Compared with the low-gradient without flow-limiting group, the high-gradient without flow-limiting group (HR: 2.86, 95% CI 1.75–4.68, P < 0.001) was associated with higher risk of MACE. Among the 4 risk models, model 4, which included GΔCT-FFR, showed the highest C-statistics (C-statistics: 0.75, P = 0.002) as well as a significant net reclassification improvement (NRI) beyond model 3 (NRI: 0.605, P < 0.001).ConclusionsIn diabetic patients with non-obstructive CAD, GΔCT-FFR was associated with clinical outcomes at 5 year follow-up, which illuminates a novel and feasible approach to improved risk stratification for a global hemodynamic assessment of coronary artery in diabetic patients.

The role of percutaneous balloon angioplasty in the treatment of critical limb ischemia in diabetic patients

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most advanced form of occlusive peripheral artery disease and often leads to amputation. The prognosis is significantly worsened in patients with diabetes as without intensive management &gt; 50% of patients die within one year of CLI onset or have to undergo a lower extremity amputation. In diabetes CLI is mostly present as diffuse, long-segmented occlusions in two or three arteries of the lower leg, which may co-exist with significant atherosclerosis of the femoropopliteal segment and/or, less frequently, the iliac segment. Also, in diabetes CLI due to atherosclerosis limited to the tibial segment is significantly more common than in non diabetes individuals as well increased arterial wall calcification. These conditions affect the outcome of all revascularization techniques, including percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA). The effectiveness of balloon angioplasty as the essential technique for revascularization of below-the-knee arteries in diabetic patients has been confirmed as it repeatedly showed reduction of amputation rates. The latest developments include drug-eluting balloons which appear to be promising in terms of limiting the amount of restenosis. The article presents the current data on the efficacy and safety of PTA in patients with CLI.

The Effect of Intracavernosal Injection of Stem Cell in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Single-blinded Clinical Trial.

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men is increasing. As well, the prevalence of diabetes, as one of the causes of sexual dysfunction, is rising in many countries. Due to the failure of common therapies in some patients with sexual dysfunction, it is necessary to develop an effective alternative treatment, such as stem cell therapy, for this problem. In this randomized single-blinded clinical trial, 20 diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction, who were resistant to common treatments, were selected and divided into two groups of intervention and control (n=10 per group). Autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were extracted from oral mucosa and then infused via intracavernosal injection (50-60 ×106 cells) to the participants of the intervention group. Normal saline was injected in the control group. The patients were followed up with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5) questionnaire, as well as color Doppler duplex ultrasound. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index (RI) were determined three and six months after the interventions. The mean IIEF5 scores in the intervention group were 7.2 ± 2.1, 9.2 ± 3.4, and 10.6 ± 4.7 before, three months, and six months after the injection, respectively, showing a significant ascending trend (P = 0.01). Comparing the intervention and control groups, there was a significant difference in the IIEF5 score change during six months after the injection (P = 0.02). Regarding the PSV and RI of penis vessels, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, these parameters showed upward and improving trends in the intervention group. Intracavernosal injection of stem cells improved sexual function and PSV and RI indices of penile arteries in diabetic patients.

Risk of deep sternal wound infection of Pedicled versus Skeletonized Left Internal Mammary Artery in Diabetic patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Risk of deep sternal wound infection of Pedicled versus Skeletonized Left Internal Mammary Artery in Diabetic patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Vascular resistance of carotid and vertebral arteries is associated with retinal microcirculation measured by laser speckle flowgraphy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AimsEvaluation of the retinal microcirculation is key to understanding retinal vasculopathies, such as diabetic retinopathy. Laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) has recently enabled us to directly evaluate the vascular resistance in both retinal vessels and capillaries, non-invasively. We therefore assessed whether retinal vessel blood flow and/or the capillary microcirculation are associated with blood flow in the cervical arteries in diabetic patients without severe retinopathy. MethodsWe enrolled 110 type 2 diabetes patients, with no or mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, in this prospective cross-sectional study. We measured the resistivity indices (RIs) of the retinal vessel and capillaries by LSFG and those of cervical arteries by Doppler ultrasonography, followed by analyzing associations. ResultsThe RIs of not only the carotid but also vertebral arteries were associated with those of retinal vessel blood flow and the retinal capillary microcirculation. Multiple regression analyses revealed these associations to be independent of other explanatory variables including age and diabetes duration. ConclusionsWe obtained novel and direct evidence demonstrating a close association between the retinal microcirculation and cervical artery hemodynamics in diabetic patients. These findings suggest shared mechanisms to underlie micro- and macro-angiopathies. Thus, high vascular resistance of cervical arteries may be a risk of developing retinopathy.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting: a propensity score matching study

BackgroundThe target of this study was to explore the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.MethodsSeven hundred and twenty four patients who had previously received CABG and had been treated using PCI combined with drug-eluting stents (DES) between 2009 and 2017 were selected for a retrospective study and allocated into either a diabetes mellitus (DM) or non-diabetes mellitus (No DM) group. A 1:1 propensity score-matched evaluation was conducted and risk adjusted for analysis. The primary outcomes were cardiac death, myocardial infarction, heart failure and revascularization, with a median follow-up duration of 5.13 years.ResultsAfter matching, two-, 5- and 8-year event rate of overall major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were found to be higher in the DM group (No DM vs DM:15.3, 30.9, 38.5% vs 19.8, 37.8, 52.2%, respectively), although no significant difference was found in the event rate of overall MACEs (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00 to 1.83 for DM vs No DM; P = 0.052), cardiac death (HR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.95; P = 0.871), MI (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.95 to 2.32; P = 0.080), HF (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.90 to 2.63 for; P = 0.120) or revascularization (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.72 to 1.59; P = 0.747). Subgroup analysis of PCI in only the NCA showed MACEs (adjusted HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.49 for DM vs No DM; P = 0.325), cardiac death (adjusted HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.41 to 1.78 for DM vs No DM; P = 0.781), MI (adjusted HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 0.84 to 2.01 for DM vs No DM; P = 0.069), HF (adjusted HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.87 to 2.27 for DM vs No DM; P = 0.211) or repeated revascularization (adjusted HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.37 for DM vs No DM; P = 0.836).ConclusionsCompared with non-diabetic patients with prior CABG, subsequent implantation of DES in the native coronary artery of diabetic patients resulted in apparently similar outcomes.Trial registrationThis study was not registered in an open access database.

Regulatory Effects of O-GlcNAcylation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells on Diabetic Vasculopathy

Vascular complications from uncontrolled hyperglycemia are the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Previous reports have shown a strong correlation between hyperglycemia and vascular calcification, which increases mortality and morbidity in individuals with diabetes. However, the precise underlying molecular mechanisms of hyperglycemia-induced vascular calcification remain largely unknown. Transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) into osteoblast-like cells is a known culprit underlying the development of vascular calcification in the diabetic vasculature. Pathological conditions such as high glucose levels and oxidative stress are linked to enhanced osteogenic differentiation of VSMC both in vivo and in vitro. It has been demonstrated that increased expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), a bone-related transcription factor, in VSMC is necessary and sufficient for the induction of VSMC calcification. Addition of a single O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) moiety to the serine/threonine residues of target proteins (O-GlcNAcylation) has been observed in the arteries of diabetic patients, as well as in animal models in association with the enhanced expression of Runx2 and aggravated vascular calcification. O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic and tightly regulated process, that is mediated by 2 enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase. Glucose is metabolized into UDP-β-D-N-acetylglucosamine, an active sugar donor of O-GlcNAcylation via the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Overall increases in the O-GlcNAcylation of cellular proteins have been closely associated with cardiovascular complications of diabetes. In this review, the authors provide molecular insights into cardiovascular complications, including diabetic vasculopathy, that feature increased O-GlcNAcylation in people with diabetes.

457-P: One-Year Administration of Anti-PCSK9 Antibody Is Enough to Stabilize Vulnerable Coronary Plaques in Diabetic Patients, which Are Resistant to Intensive Statin Therapy

Purpose: Coronary plaque progression despite very low levels of LDL-C has been reported in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who received intensive statin therapy (IST). Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) has been applied to evaluate vulnerable coronary plaques having low attenuation of CT value. The major function of PCSK9 is the binding to hepatic LDL receptors, leading to their degradation. PCSK9 is produced also in vascular smooth muscle cells constituting the atherosclerotic lesion in addition to hepatocytes. PCSK9 promotes foam cell formation by suppressing the excretion of cholesterol from macrophages. Statin is demonstrated to promote PCSK9 production. PCSK9 has been proposed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IST resistance. The present study was performed to establish a novel therapeutic approach to IST resistant vulnerable plaque of coronary artery in diabetic patients. Methods: The present study included 142 T2DM patients with non-FHC asymptomatic CAD who developed vulnerable coronary plaques despite IST over 2 years. CCTA by use of 320-slice CT was applied to evaluate vulnerable coronary plaques. During the administration of anti-PCSK9 antibody, changes in serum lipids and CT value of vulnerable coronary plaques were determined. Results: During 1 year administration of anti-PCSK9 antibody, 74% decrease in serum LDL-C was observed. Also, improvement of vulnerable coronary plaque, e.g., rise in the CT value of plaque (from 43.2 ±12.0 HU to 128.5 ± 52.3 HU, p&amp;lt;0.0001) was observed. Of the 142 patients, 95 patients finished the administration of the drug. Conclusion: One year administration of anti-PCSK9 antibody produced a significant stabilization of vulnerable coronary plaques in the patients with asymptomatic CAD who are resistant to IST. An analysis of the plaque quality by CCTA is useful method for the evaluation of the effect of the drug on vulnerable coronary plaques. Disclosure A. Hirai: None. K. Fujimura: None. K. Hirai: None. S. Kondo: None. A. Shirakami: None. T. Sakai: None. K. Murata: None. H. Taniai: None. K. Okuzaki: None. T. Kageyama: None.

A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Intensive Statin Therapy–Resistant Vulnerable Plaque of Coronary Artery in Diabetic Patients by Use of Anti-PCSK9 Antibody and Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA)

Purpose: Coronary plaque progression despite very low levels of LDL-C has been reported in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who received intensive statin therapy (IST). CCTA has been applied to detect vulnerable coronary plaques having low attenuation of CT value. The best characterized function of PCSK9 is the binding to hepatic LDL receptors, leading to their degradation. PCSK9 is produced also in vascular smooth muscle cells constituting the atheriosclerotic lesion in addition to hepatocytes. PCSK9 promotes foam cell formation by suppressing the excretion of cholesterol from macrophages. Recently, statin is demonstrated to promote PCSK9 production. PCSK9 has been proposed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IST resistance. The present study was performed to establish a novel therapeutic approach to IST resistant vulnerable plaque of coronary artery in diabetic patients. Methods: The present study included 1T2DM patients with non-FHC asymptomatic CAD who developed vulnerable plaques in coronary artery despite IST over 1 year. CCTA by use of 320-slice CT was applied to evaluate vulnerable plaques in coronary artery. During the administration of anti-PCSK9 antibody, changes in serum lipids and CT value of vulnerable coronary plaques were determined. Results: After the administration of anti-PCSK9 antibody, 72% decrease in serum LDL-C was observed. Also, improvement of vulnerable coronary plaque e.g., rise in the CT value of plaque (from 45.2 ± 12.0 HU to 107.5 ± 42.3 HU, p&amp;lt;0.0001) was observed in 6 months after administration of the drug. Conclusion: A significant improvement in vulnerable coronary plaques was observed in the patients with asymptomatic CAD who are resistant to IST after 6 months administration of anti-PCSK9 antibody. An analysis of the plaque quality by CCTA is useful method for the evaluation of the effect of the drug on vulnerable coronary plaques. Disclosure A. Hirai: None. K. Fujimura: None. S. Kondo: None. T. Sakai: None. S. Ikejima: None. H. Taniai: None. K. Hirai: None. K. Murata: None. A. Shirakami: None. K. Okuzaki: None. T. Kageyama: None.

Oxidative Damage of Carotid Arteries in Diabetic Patients

In the present study, FT-IR spectra were used to study the carotid arteries of 20 diabetic patients. From the comparison of infrared...

Roles of triglyceride and phosphate in atherosclerosis of diabetic hemodialysis patients.

Background: A growing number of patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are undergoing long-term hemodialysis (HD). HD needs a vascular access (VA) and complications of VA account for a sizable proportion of its costs. One of the important cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is atherosclerosis, which is a major cause of premature deaths in the world. So, it is essential to find the risk factors to treat them before they cause an obvious CVD. Methods: We analyzed data from 174 ESRD patients who were candidate for Arterio Venous Fistula (AVF) creation from April 2008 to March 2009 in Hasheminejad Kidney Center by convenient sampling. X-ray images were used and C 4.5 algorithm of data mining techniques revealed the roles of two risk factors for atherosclerosis of diabetic ESRD patients. Pearson coefficient was also used to measure the correlation between the parameters. Results: Diabetic patients had significantly more calcified arteries in their forearm X-ray than other patients (p<0.001). Occurrence of atherosclerotic CVD in diabetic HD patients has an adverse relation compared with the controlled levels of their plasma levels of Triglyceride (TG) and Phosphorus. We found an inverse effect of TG and phosphorus plasma levels on the atherosclerotic involvement of radial and ulnar arteries in diabetic HD patients. We observed that the prevalence of radial and ulnar arteries calcification in these patients is lower when they have higher plasma levels of TG and phosphorous. Conclusion: This study investigates the role of high plasma levels of TG and phosphorous in the development of atherosclerosis in diabetic HD patients. Although many studies showed that hypertriglyceridemia plays a promoting role in the development of CVD, our study also found an inverse effect of plasma levels of TG on the atherosclerotic involvement of radial and ulnar arteries in diabetic patients, and therefore our results support this suspicion that hypertriglyceridemia plays a significant role in developing atherosclerosis.

Upregulation of miR-221 and -222 in response to increased extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 activity exacerbates neointimal hyperplasia in diabetes mellitus

Background and aimsDiabetes is associated with accelerated arterial intimal thickening that contributes to the increased cardiovascular disease seen in this population. In healthy arteries, intimal thickening is inhibited by elevated levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27Kip1, and intimal thickening is promoted by activation of the mammalian Target of Rapamycin to promote degradation of p27Kip1 protein. Recently, we reported that two microRNAs, miR-221 and -222, which promote intimal thickening via down-regulation of mRNA encoding p27Kip1, are elevated in the arteries of diabetic patients. To determine if these miRNAs are critical to the increased intimal thickening under diabetic conditions, we examined the regulation of p27Kip1in a mouse model of diabetes. MethodsComparisons of p27Kip1 signaling in NONcNZO10 mice fed a diabetogenic versus control diet were performed using immunochemistry and real-time PCR. ResultsVascular smooth muscle cells and arteries of diabetic mice exhibited decreased levels of p27Kip1 that derived from destabilization of p27Kip1 mRNA in an extracellular signal response kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) dependent manner. The activity of ERK-1/2 is increased in the arteries of diabetic mice and promotes an increase in miR-221 and -222. Inhibition of miR-221 and -222 restores normal levels of p27Kip1 mRNA and protein in the arteries of diabetic mice and reduces intimal thickening following wire injury. ConclusionsThese data suggest diabetes is accompanied by increases in arterial miR-221 and -222 expression that promotes intimal thickening. Inhibition of the increased miR-221 and -222 may be efficacious in the prevention of the cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

Disparity in Coronary Artery Diameter in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Subjects undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Bangladesh: A 2-Year Retrospective Analysis

Objective: Coronary arteries in diabetic patients were found to be narrower than in non-diabetic subjects. The aim of the study was to compare the coronary arteries diameter between diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using stent diameter for greater accuracy.Methods: This was a randomized observational study. From a dedicated database, we retrospectively analysed all consecutive patients of both gender who underwent PCI in the cardiac catheterization laboratory of Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2011 to December 2012. Patients who required left main coronary artery stenting were excluded from this study. Patients were divided into two groups; diabetics and non-diabetics. We calculated the coronary artery diameter according to the diameter of the stent, achieved at the final pressure at which the stent was deployed. The diameter which was achieved at a given atmospheric pressure was taken from the attached booklet provided with the stent packaging. If post dilatation was required then the diameter achieved by the non-compliant balloon after post dilatation was taken as the reference diameter of the artery.Results: A total of 571 patients, 333 in diabetic and 238 in non-diabetic group were included in the study. Proximal segments of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in diabetics and non-diabetics were 2.99±0.44 vs 3.14±0.50 mm (p=0.00) while mid and distal segments were 2.90±0.38 vs 3.10±0.42 mm (p=0.00) and 2.25±0.39 vs 2.42±0.45 mm (p=0.00) respectively. Various segments of proximal left Circumflex (LCx) coronary artery in diabetics and non-diabetics were 2.98±0.21 vs 3.01±0.25 mm (p=0.39) while distal circumflex were 2.35±0.40 vs 2.49±0.43 mm (p=0.00) respectively. Proximal segments of right coronary artery (RCA) in diabetic and nondiabetics were 3.0±0.28 vs 3.28±0.25 mm (p=0.00) while mid and distal segments were 2.97±0.26 vs 3.19±0.25 mm (p=0.00) and 2.43±0.51 vs 2.87±0.32 mm (p=0.00) respectively. The number of stents (1.34±0.87 vs 1.30±0.65; p=0.40) and type of stent utilized (DES &amp; non DES: 87.3 &amp; 12.7% vs 85.2 &amp; 14.8%; p=0.50) between diabetic &amp; non-diabetic groups were not significantly different; however the total stent length (23.1±13.3 vs 21.5±9.52 mm; p=0.03) in diabetic group was significantly longer.Conclusions: The diameter of LAD, distal circumflex and right coronary arteries were significantly narrower in diabetic than non-diabetic subjects.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2017; 32(1) : 23-28

Imaging Techniques for the Assessment of Coronary Arteries in Diabetic Patients Undergoing PCI with Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds

AbstractPatients who suffer from diabetes mellitus and present coronary artery disease are at a higher risk of cardiovascular events. The coronary arteries of diabetic patients present a diffuse process of atherosclerosis with frequent distal involvement, being prone to acute cardiovascular events. Diabetics present an increased rate of developing coronary artery remodeling, negative remodeling being representative for this class of patients; this process is characterized by vessel shrinkage and an increased rate of coronary calcium accumulation that is a predictor for cardiovascular risk. Currently, it is desired to improve the treatment of diabetic patients with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS), because of their reduced risk of restenosis and the ability to restore coronary function, including vasomotion, adaptive shear stress, and expansive remodeling. Optical coherence tomography, intravascular ultrasound and multi-slice computed tomography are imaging techniques used for a high accuracy of diagnosis in coronary artery disease. This manuscript is a review that aims to highlight imaging techniques used for evaluating the functional impact of coronary lesions in diabetic patients who underwent coronary PCI with bioresorbable scaffolds and to describe the functional markers that show the specificity for predicting coronary artery disease.

Efficacy of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Skeletonized Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries in Diabetic Patients

Efficacy of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Skeletonized Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries in Diabetic Patients

Use of Tapered Balloons to Recanalize Occluded Below-the-Knee Arteries in Diabetic Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of tapered balloon use in recanalization of long occlusions of below-the-knee (BTK) arteries in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Forty-nine occluded BTK arteries in 35 diabetic patients with CLI were revascularized in our Diabetic Foot Center between January and September 2014 using tapered balloons. Twelve-month outcomes were evaluated in terms of healing of the lesions, survival, limb salvage, primary patency, primary assisted patency, and secondary patency. The patients were predominantly male (27/35, 77.1%) with a mean age of 70.9years (±10.3 standard deviation [SD]). During the follow-up (mean duration 12.4months±4 SD), healing of the lesions was obtained in 27 of the 35 cases (77.1%). Estimated 12-month survival and limb salvage were 85.7% and 91.1%, respectively. Estimated 12-month primary patency, primary assisted patency, and secondary patency were 78.3%, 79%, and 88.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of chronic renal failure affected survival (P=0.005), and assignment to Rutherford class 6 affected limb salvage (P=0.005), primary patency (P<0.001), and primary assisted patency (P<0.001). Furthermore, the presence of coronary artery disease affected primary patency (P=0.001) and primary assisted patency (P=0.05). Tapered balloons are a safe and effective means to recanalize long occlusions of BTK arteries in diabetic patients with CLI. Outcomes are poorer in patients with major tissue loss and with a history of coronary artery disease. Further experience with larger groups is needed to validate these outcomes.