Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2007; 115 - P01_033
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-972289

Augmentation index as parameter for cardiovascular disease is increased in patients with diabetes mellitus

B Wilhelm 1, J Klein 1, C Friedrich 1, S Forst 1, A Pfützner 1, PH Kann 2, M Weber 3, T Forst 1
  • 1IKFE GmbH, Mainz, Germany
  • 2Universitätsklinik, Endokrinologie, Marburg, Germany
  • 3Universitätsklinik, Endokrinologie, Mainz, Germany

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus type 2 is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases due to a progressive arteriosclerosis. Augmentation index is a surrogate parameter of arterial stiffness and is described as a useful index of cardiovascular risk in patients with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to compare changes in augmentation index in patients with DM and cardiovascular diseases with healthy controls.

Methods: 166 subjects (89 male and 77 female) in the age between 35–70 years were included into the study (100 non-diabetic cardiovascular risk patients, mean age 62.73±8.75 years; 33 diabetic patients, 66.58±2.69 years and 33 healthy controls 51. 89±8.91 years). All patients and healthy controls were non-smokers. Augmentation was measured by pulse wave analysis (PWA) at the radial artery (SphygmoCor Px, AtCor Medical, Australia). Augmentation represents the difference between the second and the first systolic peak of the central pressure wave form and augmentation index (Aix) is defined as augmentation expressed as a percentage of the pulse pressure.

Results: Augmentation was increased either in diabetic patients with 10.21±6.97mm Hg and in cardiovascular risk patients (CV) with 10.74±5.29mm Hg in comparison to healthy controls (C) with 6.59±3.97mm Hg (p<0.0005 DM vs. C; p<0.00005 CV vs. C). Moreover we measured an increased augmentation index with 26.00±9.91% in CV patients compared to healthy controls with 19.84±9.37% (p<0.02 CV vs. C). Augmentation index was although increased in patients with DM (21.12±11.21%), but just failed statistical significance. There was no statistical significance in augmentation between CV and diabetic patients.

Conclusions: The results of our study reveal an increased augmentation index as a surrogate measure of arterial stiffness and arteriosclerosis either in patients with diabetes mellitus or in non-diabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk.