[Physical properties of the aorta in normotensive insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Study using Doppler...

We studied 16 normotensive insulin-dependent diabetic patients (D) (11 males + 5 females) aged of 25-51 years old (mean = 35 +/- 6) with a good glycemic control, without microangiopathy and previous heart disease and 16 healthy control of 25 subjects (C) matched for sex age and body area. We measured: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) with a mercury sphygmomanometer, aortic diameter (AD), end diastolic left ventricular radius (r) and wall thickness (Th) by Echocardiography TM with 2 D echo control, the pulse wave delay (PWD) by measurement of time between the feet of aortic velocity tracings, recorded in the isthmus and near the diaphragm, Sternal length (L). Parameters calculated were: the ratio th/r. The pulse wave velocity PWV = L/PWD and the ratio PWV/AD which represents an indirect index of aortic characteristic impedance. (table; see text) PWV and the radio Th/r are significantly increased in diabetic patients as compared to the control group. Th/r is not significantly correlated with PWV in the 2 groups. This lack of correlation could be explained in the control group by the small rang of values of PWV (5-7.3 ms-1) and Th/r (0.26-0.38). It is not the case in the diabetic group where values are widespread (PWD 5-10 ms-1 and Th/r 0.23-0.53).

in normotensive young insulin-dependent diabetic patients studied by doppler echocardiography: aortic rigidity measured by the pulse wave velocity is increased. Th/r ratio is also increased but this change of left ventricular geometry is not related to aortic rigidity in this group of patients.