Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Angiographic coronary artery disease is associated with progressively higher levels of fasting plasma glucose

Alexandre S Quadros1, Rogério Sarmento-Leite, Marcello Bertoluci

  • 1Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul/University Foundation of Cardiology, Dra. Beatriz D'Agord Schaan, Av. Princesa Isabel, 370-Santana, Porto Alegre Cep 90.620-001, Brazil.

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
|August 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Subtle increases in fasting glucose and insulin resistance are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). Even slightly elevated glucose levels, not yet diabetes, show a higher prevalence of significant coronary artery stenosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
  • The association between subtle glucose metabolism disturbances and CAD requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between varying levels of fasting glycemia and insulin resistance with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.
  • To assess if pre-diabetic glucose levels are associated with angiographically confirmed CAD.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 145 patients undergoing coronary angiography were categorized into four groups based on fasting glucose levels: normal, high-normal, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and diabetes mellitus (DM).
  • Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).
  • Coronary artery disease was defined by the presence of ≥30% or ≥70% diameter stenosis in major coronary arteries.

Main Results:

  • HOMA-IR values increased progressively across the glucose categories (Normal < High-Normal < IFG < DM; p=0.001).
  • The prevalence of CAD, by both stenosis criteria, significantly increased with higher fasting glucose levels (p=0.006 and p=0.03, respectively).
  • Patients with impaired fasting glucose showed a higher proportion of CAD compared to those with normal fasting glucose.

Conclusions:

  • Subtle disturbances in glucose metabolism, including high-normal fasting glucose and elevated insulin resistance, are significantly associated with angiographically documented coronary artery disease.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring glucose metabolism even in individuals without diagnosed diabetes.
  • Early identification and management of glucose metabolism abnormalities may be crucial for cardiovascular risk reduction.

More Related Videos

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression13:07

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression

Published on: January 15, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...