Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction and their relationship with microvascular complications in normotensive, asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for cardiovascular events. Aims of the study were to assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes and evaluate the relations among left ventricular function and specific diabetic complications. METHODS: Seventy-three normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes and no clinical evidence of cardiac disease were studied. Thirty-four healthy subjects served as control group. Echocardiographic studies were performed to assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Microangiopathy was assessed by fundoscopy. Autonomic function was evaluated by standing blood pressure and heart rate response to Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: Patients with type 2 diabetes had a lower ejection fraction (54 +/- 10.8 vs. 67 +/- 6.1%, p < or = 0.001), E-velocity (50.1 +/- 10.6 vs. 58.4 +/- 6.3 cm/s, p < or = 0.001), and E/A ratio of <1 (54.8 vs. 5.8%, p < or = 0.01) of the mitral diastolic flow compared with the control subjects, respectively. Patients with ejection fraction <50% had higher prevalence of retinopathy (52.9 vs. 26.7%, p < or = 0.05), abnormal blood pressure response to standing (52.9 vs. 7.1%, p < or = 0.001), and proteinuria (70.5 vs. 14.2%, p < or = 0.05). An inverse correlation was found between duration of diabetes and both ejection fraction (r = -0.53, p = 0.05) and E/A ratio (r = 0.36, p = 0.003). E/A ratio of <1 was associated with higher prevalence of retinopathy (45 vs. 18.1%, p < or = 0.05) and abnormal blood pressure response to standing (25 vs. 9%, p < or = 0.05). Multiple logistic regression model showed that diabetes was the strongest independent correlate of diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio 8.91, 95% CI: 4.18-18.52, p < or = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic diabetic patients have reduced left ventricular systolic and diastolic function as compared with healthy subjects. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic abnormalities are correlated with the duration of diabetes and with diabetic microangiopathies, like retinopathy and neuropathy. Diabetes mellitus is the strongest independent correlate of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Prevalence, prognostic importance and therapeutic implications of anemia in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in its management, heart failure, once established, remains highly prevalent and lethal. Anemia can exacerbate the hemodynamic burden in heart failure. The present study was undertaken to assess the presence of anemia and analyze how its control impacts the outcome in heart failure patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: From a cohort of 238 heart failure patients, 55 (231%) patients were found to be anemic. Twenty-nine patients (Group A) were given recombinant human erythropoietin for 12 weeks along with iron, and followed up for a mean period of 24 +/- 6 months. The patients improved substantially in terms of functional capacity (6 min walk test improved from 232 +/- 35 m to 278 +/- 41 m, p < 0.001), hemoglobin level from 10.1 +/- 0.90 gm/dl to 12 +/- 0.7 gm/dl, (p < or = 0.001), and ejection fraction from 33 +/- 7.1% to 41 +/- 6.9% (p < or = 0.001). Twenty-six patients (Group B) who were age- and sex-matched with Group A and had similar degree of functional disability and left ventricular dysfunction as that of Group A were not given erythropoietin and iron. Thus, Group B patients served as controls. In comparison to Group B, Group A patients demonstrated not only higher hemoglobin level (12 +/- 0.7 gm/dl v. 9.8 +/- 0.9 gm/dl, p < or = 0.001), and ejection fraction (41 +/- 6.9% v. 26 +/- 7%, p < or = 0.05), but also better survival (16/29 v. 7/26, p < 0.05, odds ratio 1.27). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is a significant predictor of poor outcome in patients with heart failure. Administration of erythropoietin can correct anemia and help improve survival.