Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients: detection and evaluation by tissue Doppler imaging.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED The aim of the study was detection of diastolic dysfunction of myocardium with Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients, in five years duration of disease, and normal cardiac function on conventional echocardiography (CE), according to the performance showed on exercise stress test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 300 patients, of them 150 patients with non-obese, normotensive, uncomplicated type 2 diabetes, in five years duration of disease and 150 healthy control subjects. Of all patients, 100 with type 2 diabetes, and 100 patients from the control group underwent exercise test on a treadmill. All participants underwent both CE and TDI echocardiography. With TDI, lateral E' peak velocity, atrial velocity (A'), their ratio (E'/A') and systolic velocity (S') were measured. Diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed by tissue Doppler imaging, and the following criterion was met: E'/A' ratio <1. Cardiac function with CE was without significant features in the two groups. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Using TDI interrogation, diabetic subjects showed a lower E' velocity (10,75±1,2 vs. 14±3 cm/s, p<0,001), an increased A' velocity (10,65±1,8 vs. 11±3 cm/s, p<0,02), and a reduced E/A ratio (0,82±0,04 vs. 1,17±1,4, p<0,001), S (8.92±3,80 vs. 9,30±3.30 cm/sec); E/A (1,17±0.55, p<0,01). In diabetic patients, after the exercise stress test performance, the myocardial velocity increase is registered for wave E'=1,27 cm/sec (12,01%), for wave A'=1,7 cm/sec (15,9%), reduced ratio E'/A' (0.89±0,1 cm/sec 9,0%) and S'=1,3 cm/sec (14,77%). Whereas, mean myocardial velocity values in examined control group after the exercise stress test were higher as follows: E'=2,7 cm/sec (19%), A'=2,1 cm/sec (14%), E'/A'=0,8 cm/sec (12%), and S'=2,7 cm/sec (18%). Myocardial diastolic dysfunction due to reduced exercise tolerance can be evidenced by TDI in type 2 diabetic subjects, even in the presence of a normal cardiac function with CE and symptom free diabetic patients in rest. Therefore, our findings could justify the use of Tissue Doppler imaging for diastolic function assessment in diabetics with otherwise non significant features on CE.

Aortic Compliance and Stiffness Among Severe Longstanding Hypertensive and Non-hypertensive.

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal aortic function in hypertension is generally attributed to accelerated breakdown of elastin in the aorta, leading to dilatation of the lumen and stiffening of the wall as elastin is replaced with stiffer collagen. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Vascular stiffening can activate endothelium which in turn may promote atherogenesis. Modulation of arterial stiffness has been shown to be successfully managed via changes in lifestyle and put under control of hypertension pharmacologically with antihypertensive drugs and statins. METHODS: Hundred and forty four patients have been enrolled in this study. They have been divided in two groups, with hypertension and group of control. Groups were with no age difference. RESULTS: Group with hypertension were with reduced aortic strain, distensibility (compliance) and have higher stiffness than control group; GrHTA =9.3 compared to GC=5.4. After successful treatment of hypertension with antihypertensives and statins, for two years, these parameters showed improvement, but still remain out of normal range compared to control group; 7.6 vs. 5.38. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive patients have reduced aortic elasticity and increased stiffness which can be stopped and improved after treatment with antihypertensive and statin.

Pleiotropic and Lipid-lowering Effects of Statins in Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Data on the lowering effects of statins in hypertensive patients have been mixed and highly controversial. Some studies shows reductions effects of statins in blood pressure, whereas others do not. The evidence in the literature on the effects of statins on blood pressure raises the possibility that statins may directly lower blood pressure in addition to reduce cholesterol levels-pleiotropic effects of statins. AIM OF THE STUDY: The role of statins as additional treatment in patients with severe hypertension and advanced aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Methods. We enrolled 62 patients. Study has been approved by Committee of Ethics and patients signed a Term of Free Informed Consent. All patients were studied with transoesophageal echocardiography at baseline and 12 months after enrolment. Inclusion criteria were severe hypertension and presence of aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Patients have been divided into two groups; group A (treated with antihypertenives and statins) and group B (treated, just with antihypertensives). RESULTS: Twenty patients, of totally 38, from group A (20/38 or 52.6%) had significantly plaque reduction. One patient of totally 24 (1/24 or 4.1% ) from group B had significantly atherosclerotic plaque reduction. Difference of plaques reduction between two groups was highly significant. Regarding blood pressure levels, statins users had significantly reduction on systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to statins nonusers. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients with presence of AA plaques treated with antihypertensives and statins have more BP reduction compared will hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensives alone.