Publication Description
Higher arterial stiffness may contribute to future alterations in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. We tested this hypothesis in individuals with youth-onset type 2 diabetes from the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study.
Arterial stiffness [(pulse wave velocity (carotid-femoral, femoral-foot and carotid-radial), augmentation index, brachial distensibility] was measured in 388 participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 21 years; diabetes duration 7.7 ± 1.5). To reflect overall (composite) vascular stiffness, the five arterial stiffness measures were aggregated. An echocardiogram was performed in the same cohort 2 years later. Linear regression models assessed whether composite arterial stiffness was associated with left ventricular mass index, systolic and diastolic function, independent of age, sex, race-ethnicity, current cigarette smoking, and long-term exposure (time weighted mean values over 9.1 years) of hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and body mass index. Interactions between arterial stiffness and time weighted mean hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and body mass were also examined.
After adjustment, arterial stiffness remained significantly associated with left ventricular mass index and diastolic function measured by mitral valve E/Em despite attenuation by time weighted mean body mass index. A significant interaction revealed greater adverse effect of composite arterial stiffness on mitral valve E/Em among participants with higher levels of blood pressure over time. Arterial stiffness was unrelated to left ventricular systolic function.
The association of higher arterial stiffness with future left ventricular diastolic dysfunction suggests the path to future heart failure may begin early in life in this setting of youth-onset type 2 diabetes.
•Youth-onset type 2 diabetes increases the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).•We found artery stiffening is associated with worse diastolic function 2 years later.•This relationship was exacerbated by higher blood pressure.•In this young cohort, CVD is observed with effects on the heart and vessels.