Relations among glycemic control, circulating endothelial cells, nitric oxide, and flow mediated dilation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been identified as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the association of glycemic control with CEC and endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We studied 30 patients with type 2 DM and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC). Number of circulating endothelial cells was measured by flow cytometry. Endothelial function was studied by measuring flow mediated vasodilation (FMD%) in the brachial artery and serum level of nitric oxide (NO). RESULTS: CEC count was significantly elevated in patients with DM, than HC (35.3±15.1 vs. 7.3±2.4, p<0.001) and in patients with HbA1c>7 than patients with HbA1c≤7 (47.4±5.5 vs. 19.5±5.7, p<0.001). FMD% and NO were lower in DM patients than HC (3.5±0.85 vs. 9.5±3.1, p<0.001 and 37.8±6.1 vs. 64.1±5.7, p<0.001 respectively). FMD% and NO were lower in patients with HbA1c>7 as compared to patients with HA1c≤7 (2.8±0.4 vs. 4.3±0.4, p<0.001 and 33.1±2.9 vs. 43.9±2.8, respectively, p<0.001). HbA1c correlated negatively with FMD% and NO levels and positively with CEC. CEC count correlated negatively with FMD% and NO. There was a significant positive correlation between CEC count and HBA1c (p<0.001 for all correlations). CONCLUSION: CEC is associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction and disease control in patients with type 2 DM. These findings suggest a potential role of CEC in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic and raise the importance of tight glycemic control.

Impaired glucose regulation, elevated glycated haemoglobin and cardiac ischaemic events in vascular surgery patients.

AIMS: Cardiac morbidity and mortality is high in patients undergoing high-risk surgery. This study investigated whether impaired glucose regulation and elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels are associated with increased cardiac ischaemic events in vascular surgery patients. METHODS: Baseline glucose and HbA(1c) were measured in 401 vascular surgery patients. Glucose < 5.6 mmol/l was defined as normal. Fasting glucose 5.6-7.0 mmol/l or random glucose 5.6-11.1 mmol/l was defined as impaired glucose regulation. Fasting glucose > or = 7.0 or random glucose > or = 11.1 mmol/l was defined as diabetes. Perioperative ischaemia was identified by 72-h Holter monitoring. Troponin T was measured on days 1, 3 and 7 and before discharge. Cardiac death or Q-wave myocardial infarction was noted at 30-day and longer-term follow-up (mean 2.5 years). RESULTS: Mean (+/- sd) level for glucose was 6.3 +/- 2.3 mmol/l and for HbA(1c) 6.2 +/- 1.3%. Ischaemia, troponin release, 30-day and long-term cardiac events occurred in 27, 22, 6 and 17%, respectively. Using subjects with normal glucose levels as the reference category, multivariate analysis revealed that patients with impaired glucose regulation and diabetes were at 2.2- and 2.6-fold increased risk of ischaemia, 3.8- and 3.9-fold for troponin release, 4.3- and 4.8-fold for 30-day cardiac events and 1.9- and 3.1-fold for long-term cardiac events. Patients with HbA(1c) > 7.0% (n = 63, 16%) were at 2.8-fold, 2.1-fold, 5.3-fold and 5.6-fold increased risk for ischaemia, troponin release, 30-day and long-term cardiac events, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired glucose regulation and elevated HbA(1c) are risk factors for cardiac ischaemic events in vascular surgery patients.

Outcome after redo coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and viable myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Repeat coronary artery bypass grafting (redo-CABG) in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy is associated with high perioperative risk and worse long-term outcome compared with patients undergoing their first CABG. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patients with viable myocardium undergoing redo-CABG have a better outcome. METHODS: 18 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy underwent redo-CABG and 34 underwent their first CABG; all had substantial viability (> or =25% of the left ventricle) on dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart failure symptoms were assessed before and 9-12 months after revascularisation. Cardiac event rate was assessed during the follow-up period (median 4 years, 25-75th centile 2.8-4.9 years). RESULTS: The extent of viable myocardium on DSE was comparable in the two groups (11.3 (3.9) segments in patients who underwent redo-CABG v 12.8 (3.0) in patients who underwent their first CABG; p = NS). LVEF improved from 32% (9%) to 39% (12%); p = 0.01, in patients who underwent redo-CABG and from 30% (7%) to 36% (7%); p<0.01, in those who underwent their first CABG; New York Heart Association class improved from 2.5 (1.1) to 1.9 (0.8); p = 0.03, and from 2.7 (1.0) to 1.8 (0.70); p<0.01, respectively. In patients who underwent redo-CABG, the perioperative mortality was 0, post-surgery inotropic support was needed in 11% of the patients and mid-term (4-year) survival was 100%, with a total event rate of 28%. All these variables were not statistically different from patients who underwent their first CABG (p = 0.50, 0.90, 0.08 and 0.81, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and substantial viability undergoing redo-CABG benefit from revascularisation in terms of improvement in LVEF, heart failure symptoms, angina and mid-term prognosis.

Evaluation of restenosis and extent of coronary artery disease in patients with previous percutaneous coronary interventions by dobutamine stress real-time myocardial contrast perfusion imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of real-time myocardial contrast perfusion imaging (MCPI) for the diagnosis of restenosis and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: 56 patients were studied 1.9 (SD 1.4) years after PCI. They underwent MCPI with commercially available ultrasound contrast agents (Optison or Definity) at rest and at peak dobutamine-atropine stress. Coronary angiography was performed within one month. Significant CAD was defined as >or= 50% stenosis in >or= 1 major epicardial coronary artery. Significant restenosis was defined as >or= 50% stenosis in a coronary segment with previous intervention. RESULTS: Reversible perfusion abnormalities were detected in 40 of 43 patients with significant CAD and in 4 of 13 patients without (overall sensitivity 93%, 95% CI 85% to 99%; specificity 69%, 95% CI 44% to 94%; and accuracy 88%, 95% CI 79% to 96%). Significant restenosis in >or= 1 coronary artery with previous PCI was detected in 38 (68%) patients. Reversible perfusion abnormalities were present in 35 of them (sensitivity 92%, 95% CI 84% to 99%). Reversible perfusion abnormalities were detected in >or= 2 vascular distributions in 20 of 28 patients with multivessel CAD and in 3 of 28 patients without (sensitivity 71%, 95% CI 55% to 88%; specificity 89%, 95% CI 78% to 99%; and accuracy 80%, 95% CI 70% to 91%). Restenosis was detected in 41 coronary arteries. Sensitivity of MCPI for regional diagnosis of restenosis was 73% (95% CI 60% to 87%), specificity was 75% (95% CI 60% to 90%), and accuracy was 74% (95% CI 64% to 84%). CONCLUSION: Dobutamine stress MCPI is a useful technique for the evaluation of restenosis and extent of CAD after PCI.

Long term prognostic value of myocardial viability and ischaemia during dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary revascularisation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative merits of viability and ischaemia for prognosis after revascularisation. METHODS: Low-high dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed before revascularisation in 128 consecutive patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (mean (SD) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 31 (8)%). Viability (defined as contractile reserve (CR)) and ischaemia were assessed during low and high dose dobutamine infusion, respectively. Cardiac death was evaluated during a five year follow up. Clinical, angiographic, and echocardiographic data were analysed to identify predictors of events. RESULTS: Univariable predictors of cardiac death were the presence of multivessel disease (hazard ratio (HR) 0.21, p < 0.001), baseline LVEF (HR 0.90, p < 0.0001), wall motion score index (WMSI) at rest (HR 4.02, p = 0.0006), low dose DSE (HR 7.01, p < 0.0001), peak dose DSE (HR 4.62, p < 0.0001), the extent of scar (HR 1.39, p < 0.0001), and the presence of CR in > or = 25% of dysfunctional segments (HR 0.34, p = 0.02). The best multivariable model to predict cardiac death included the presence of multivessel disease, WMSI at low dose DSE, and the presence of CR in > or = 25% of the severely dysfunctional segments (HR 9.62, p < 0.0001). Inclusion of ischaemia in the model did not provide additional predictive value. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study illustrate that in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, the extent of viability (CR) is a strong predictor of long term prognosis after revascularisation. Ischaemia did not add significantly in predicting outcome.

Improvement of stress LVEF rather than rest LVEF after coronary revascularisation in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and viable myocardium.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively the response of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to high dose dobutamine infusion in patients showing substantial viability, with and without improved resting LVEF after revascularisation. METHODS: Before and 9-12 months after revascularisation, 50 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (LVEF 32 (8)%) and substantial myocardial viability (> or = 4 viable segments) underwent radionuclide ventriculography and dobutamine stress echocardiography. Patients were divided into group 1, patients with, and group 2, patients without significant improvement in resting LVEF (> or = 5% by radionuclide ventriculography) after revascularisation. The response of LVEF during dobutamine stress echocardiography was compared in these two groups. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 were comparable in baseline characteristics, resting LVEF, and number of viable segments (mean (SD) 7 (4) v 6 (2), not significant). After revascularisation, the LVEF response during dobutamine stress echocardiography improved significantly in both groups (group 1, 34 (10)% to 56 (8)%; group 2, 32 (10)% to 46 (11)%; both p < 0.001). Interestingly, although resting LVEF did not improve in group 2, peak stress LVEF after revascularisation did (p < 0.001). Group 1 patients had, however, a greater increase in peak stress LVEF (group 1, 22 (10)%; group 2, 13 (9)%; p < 0.01). New York Heart Association and Canadian Cardiovascular Society classes decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with viable myocardium did not always have improved rest LVEF after revascularisation, peak stress LVEF improved. Assessment of improvement of resting function may not be the ideal end point to evaluate successful revascularisation.

Prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with previous coronary revascularisation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients with previous myocardial revascularisation. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. PATIENTS: 332 consecutive patients with previous percutaneous or surgical coronary revascularisation underwent DSE. Follow up was successful for 331 (99.7%) patients. Thirty eight patients who underwent early revascularisation (

Relation between left ventricular contractile reserve during low dose dobutamine echocardiography and plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides.

BACKGROUND: In ischaemic cardiomyopathy, raised plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides are associated with a poor long term prognosis, while the presence of contractile reserve is a favourable sign. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between plasma natriuretic peptides and contractile reserve. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: 66 consecutive patients undergoing low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography to evaluate contractile reserve in regions with contractile dysfunction at rest, divided into two groups: group 1, 31 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 40%) and heart failure symptoms; group 2, 35 patients with normal left ventricular function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), measured using immunoradiometric assays. Contractile reserve was defined as an improvement in segmental wall motion score during infusion of low dose dobutamine. RESULTS: Plasma ANP and BNP concentrations were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (mean (SD): ANP, 17.8 (32.8) v 7.2 (9.7), p < 0.005; BNP, 24.4 (69.0) v 5.0 (14.3) pmol/l, respectively; p < 0.001). In group 1, the presence of contractile reserve was inversely related to ANP and BNP levels; however, patients with contractile reserve had lower ANP and BNP concentrations than patients without contractile reserve (ANP, 14.2 (9.1) v 24.2 (44.2), p < 0.05; BNP, 20.2 (25.5) v 37.5 (93.8) pmol/l, respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma natriuretic peptide concentrations are raised in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, but in the presence of preserved myocardial contractile reserve, relatively low levels of ANP and BNP are present.

Prevalence of myocardial viability assessed by single photon emission computed tomography in patients with chronic ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of myocardial viability by technetium-99m (Tc-99m)-tetrofosmin/fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. SETTING: Thoraxcenter Rotterdam (a tertiary referral centre). PATIENTS: 104 patients with chronic coronary artery disease and severely depressed left ventricular function presenting with heart failure symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of myocardial viability as evaluated by Tc-99m-tetrofosmin/FDG SPECT imaging. Two strategies for assessing viability in dysfunctional myocardium were used: perfusion imaging alone, and the combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging. RESULTS: On perfusion imaging alone, 56 patients (54%) had a significant amount of viable myocardium, whereas 48 patients (46%) did not. Among the 48 patients with no significant viability by perfusion imaging alone, seven additional patients (15%) had significantly viable myocardium on combined perfusion and metabolic imaging. Thus with a combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging, 63 patients (61%) had viable myocardium and 41 (39%) did not. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the presence of viable dysfunctional myocardium, 61% of patients with chronic coronary artery disease and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction presenting with heart failure symptoms may be considered for coronary revascularisation. The combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging identified more patients with significant viability than myocardial perfusion imaging alone.

Thromboembolic complications after electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial flutter.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of thromboembolic complications after cardioversion in patients with atrial flutter. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 615 electrical cardioversions performed electively in 493 patients with atrial flutter. Embolic complications were evaluated during the 30 days after cardioversion. Follow-up data were obtained by follow-up visits and by contacting the treating physician. RESULTS: Anticoagulants had been administered in 415 cardioversions (67%). Cardioversion was successful in 570 procedures (93%). Three embolic events (in 3 patients) occurred in the 30 days after 550 successful cardioversions with completed follow-up (0.6% of successful procedures; 95% confidence interval, 0.1% to 1.6%). Two of the 3 patients had not been anticoagulated, whereas the third patient had subtherapeutic oral anticoagulation. No embolic event occurred in procedures performed with adequate anticoagulation. The incidence of embolism in patients regardless of subtherapeutic anticoagulation was 1% (3 of 303 successful cardioversions). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low (0.6%) incidence of postcardioversion thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial flutter. Embolic events did not occur in patients with adequate anticoagulation.

Improved identification of viable myocardium using second harmonic imaging during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether, compared with fundamental imaging, second harmonic imaging can improve the accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography for identifying viable myocardium, using nuclear imaging as a reference. PATIENTS: 30 patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction (mean (SD) age, 60 (8) years; 22 men). METHODS: Dobutamine stress echocardiography was carried out in all patients using both fundamental and second harmonic imaging. All patients underwent dual isotope simultaneous acquisition single photon emission computed tomography (DISA-SPECT) with (99m)technetium-tetrofosmin/(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose on a separate day. Myocardial viability was considered present by dobutamine stress echocardiography when segments with severe dysfunction showed a biphasic sustained improvement or an ischaemic response. Viability criteria on DISA-SPECT were normal or mildly reduced perfusion and metabolism, or perfusion/metabolism mismatch. RESULTS: Using fundamental imaging, 330 segments showed severe dysfunction at baseline; 144 (44%) were considered viable. The agreement between dobutamine stress echocardiography by fundamental imaging and DISA-SPECT was 78%, kappa = 0.56. Using second harmonic imaging, 288 segments showed severe dysfunction; 138 (48%) were viable. The agreement between dobutamine stress echocardiography and DISA-SPECT was significantly better when second harmonic imaging was used (89%, kappa = 0.77, p = 0.001 v fundamental imaging). CONCLUSIONS: Second harmonic imaging applied during dobutamine stress echocardiography increases the agreement with DISA-SPECT for detecting myocardial viability.

Time course of functional recovery of stunned and hibernating segments after surgical revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of function is possible in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy when left ventricular dysfunction is caused by stunning or hibernation. It is plausible that recovery of function after revascularization may take a longer time in hibernating myocardium compared with stunned myocardium. Accordingly, the time courses of functional recovery in hibernating and stunned myocardium were compared. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n=26) with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing surgical revascularization were studied; regional perfusion (resting (201)Tl single-photon emission CT), glucose utilization ((18)F-2-deoxyglucose single-photon emission CT), and contractile function (2D echocardiography) were assessed before revascularization. Dysfunctional segments with normal perfusion/glucose utilization were considered to be stunned, and dysfunctional segments with reduced perfusion/preserved glucose utilization were considered to be hibernating. Contractile function was reevaluated 3 months (early) and 14 months (late) after revascularization. Of the 266 dysfunctional segments, 57 (22%) were stunned, 62 (23%) were hibernating, and 147 (55%) were scar tissue. In stunned myocardium, contractile function improved significantly at 3 months, without further improvement at 14 months; 61% of the stunned segments improved at 3 months, and 9% improved at 14 months. In hibernating myocardium, contractile function improved at 3 months, with a further improvement at 14 months; 31% of the hibernating segments improved at 3 months, and 61% showed (additional) recovery at 14 months. CONCLUSIONS: Stunned myocardium is likely to demonstrate early recovery of function, whereas hibernating myocardium may take a longer time to (fully) recover in function after revascularization.

Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functional abnormalities in asymptomatic patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between left ventricular (LV) functional abnormalities, microangiopathy, and autonomic dysfunction in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). We studied 66 normotensive patients with NIDDM of > or =4 years' duration (age, 51 +/- 4.5 years; 35 men) and no clinical evidence of cardiac disease. Twenty-one healthy subjects matched for age and sex served as a control group. Echocardiography and Doppler studies were performed to assess LV systolic and diastolic function. Microangiopathy was assessed by fundus examination. Autonomic function was assessed by standing blood pressure and heart rate response to Valsalva maneuver. Patients with NIDDM had a lower ejection fraction (58% +/- 11% versus 66% +/- 4%, P <.0001), E-F deceleration slope (382 +/- 75 versus 427 +/- 31 cm/s(2), P <.05), and E velocity (55 +/- 11 vs. 58 +/- 6 cm/s, P =.02) of the mitral diastolic flow, compared with control subjects, respectively. Patients with ejection fraction <50% had a higher prevalence of retinopathy (65% versus 29%, P <.005), abnormal blood pressure response to standing (53% versus 8%, P <.0005), and proteinuria (65% versus 27%, P =.006). An inverse correlation was found between the duration of diabetes and both the ejection fraction (r = -0.53, P <.05) and E/A ratio (r = -0.4, P <.005). E/A ratio <1 was associated with a higher prevalence of retinopathy (49% versus 20%, P =.01) and abnormal blood pressure response to standing (29% versus 4%, P <.005). Patients with NIDDM and no symptoms of cardiovascular disease have a reduced LV systolic and diastolic function as compared with healthy subjects. LV systolic and diastolic abnormalities are correlated with the duration of diabetes and with other diabetic microangiopathies such as diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.

Exercise echocardiography for the prognostic stratification of patients with low pretest probability of coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether exercise echocardiography provides incremental data for risk stratification of patients with a low pretest probability of coronary artery disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included patients referred for exercise echocardiography whose probability of coronary artery disease was 25% or less. We calculated an exercise wall motion score index (on a 1-5 scale), an indicator of the extent and severity of exercise-induced abnormalities. The primary outcomes of the study were subsequent cardiac events (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction). RESULTS: We studied 571 men and 1047 women; their mean (+/- SD) age was 55 +/- 13 years. During a median follow-up of 3 years, there were 19 cardiac events (6 cardiac deaths and 13 nonfatal myocardial infarctions); an additional 37 patients underwent coronary revascularization. In a multivariate analysis of clinical, exercise electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters, exercise wall motion score index (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1 per 0.5 units; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3 to 3.4), and age (HR = 2.0 per decade; 95% CI: 1.2-2.8) were independently associated with the risk of cardiac events. Although exercise echocardiographic variables contributed significantly (P = 0.01) to a model of the risk of adverse events, only 9 (47%) of the 19 patients with cardiac events were identified by an abnormal exercise echocardiogram. CONCLUSION: Among patients with low pretest probability of coronary artery disease by clinical criteria, exercise echocardiography identifies some, but not all, patients at risk of future events. Because of the low event rate, routine application of exercise echocardiography in a patient with a low pretest probability does not appear to be cost-effective and therefore cannot be recommended.

Second harmonic imaging improves sensitivity of dobutamine stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the value of second harmonic imaging compared with fundamental imaging for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease during dobutamine stress echocardiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography with both fundamental imaging and second harmonic imaging. Coronary angiography was performed within 3 months. Ischemia was defined as new or worsening wall motion abnormalities in > or = 1 segment during dobutamine stress echocardiography. Coronary artery disease was defined as a > or = 70% luminal diameter stenosis in > or = 1 coronary artery by coronary angiography. RESULTS: There was a higher prevalence of segments with invisible border with fundamental compared with second harmonic imaging both at rest (11% vs 8%, P < .05) and at peak stress (17% vs 10%, P < .001). Significant coronary artery disease was present in 49 (77%) patients. The sensitivity of dobutamine stress echocardiography for detection of coronary artery disease by fundamental and second harmonic imaging was, respectively, 78% and 94% (P < .05), whereas specificity was similar (73% vs 73%). Second harmonic imaging had a particularly higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of 1-vessel disease (93% vs 50%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: The use of second harmonic imaging improves the sensitivity of dobutamine stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease compared with fundamental imaging, particularly for 1-vessel coronary artery disease, whereas specificity remains unchanged.

Prognostic stratification of diabetic patients by exercise echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the incremental value of exercise echocardiography for the risk stratification of diabetic patients. BACKGROUND: There are currently insufficient outcome data in diabetic patients to define the role of stress echocardiography as a prognostic tool. METHODS: We studied the prognostic value of exercise echocardiography in 563 patients with diabetes mellitus (mean age 64 +/- 11 years, 336 men) and known or suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD). RESULTS: Cardiac events occurred in 50 patients (cardiac death in 23 and nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI] in 27) during a median follow-up period of three years. Event rate was lower in patients with normal as compared to those with abnormal exercise echocardiography at one year (0% vs. 1.9%), three years (1.8% vs. 11.9%), and five years (7.6% vs. 23.3%), respectively (p = 0.0001). Patients with multivessel distribution of echocardiographic abnormalities had the highest event rate (2.9% at one year, 15.2% at three years, and 32.8% at five years). In an incremental multivariate analysis model, exercise echocardiography increased the chi-square of the clinical and exercise ECG model from 29 to 44.8 (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise echocardiography provides incremental data for risk stratification of diabetic patients with known or suspected IHD. Patients with a normal exercise echocardiogram have a low event rate. Patients with multivessel distribution of exercise echocardiographic abnormalities are at the highest risk of cardiac events, as one-third of these patients experience cardiac death or nonfatal MI during the five years following exercise echocardiography.