Elastic properties and structure of the radial artery in patients with type 2 diabetes

Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2009 Oct;6(4):244-8. doi: 10.1177/1479164109339963. Epub 2009 Aug 4.

Abstract

Alterations of elastic properties may contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with T2D. Little is known, however, about radial artery distensibility in this patient group. A total of 19 patients with T2D and 19 controls were investigated.An echotracking system coupled to a plethysmograph was used to assess the morphologic and elastic properties of radial artery. Distensibility and compliance were evaluated using Langewouters' equations. Distensibility and compliance did not differ significantly in patients with diabetes compared with controls. In contrast, radial IMT and WCSA were significantly higher in patients with T2D than in controls. Multiple regression analyses revealed a significant association between SBP and IMT (r(2) = 0.40, p<0.001) as well as WCSA (r = 0.54; r(2) = 0.30; p<0.001 ) in individuals with diabetes. In conclusion, distensibility and compliance of the radial artery are not reduced in patients with T2D. In contrast, radial IMT and WCSA are significantly higher in patients with T2D than in controls.These modifications are chiefly and positively related to SBP.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Pressure
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Compliance
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / pathology*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / physiopathology
  • Elasticity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plethysmography
  • Radial Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Radial Artery / pathology*
  • Radial Artery / physiopathology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sphygmomanometers
  • Systole
  • Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Intima / pathology*
  • Tunica Media / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Media / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography