Evaluation of Elastic Properties of Aorta in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance by Conventional and Color-Doppler Tissue Echocardiography

Increased arterial stiffness is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In our study we aimed to evaluate the elastic properties of the aorta with conventional and color Doppler tissue imaging (CDTI) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) who had no hypertension or coronary artery disease. The study group consisted of 47 IGT patients having without hypertension or coronary artery disease (mean age 37±8), and the control group of 32 healthy subjects (mean age 34±8). To evaluate the elastic properties of the aorta, diastolic and systolic diameters of the aorta were measured by M-mode echocardiography and tissue Doppler velocities of the superior wall of aorta were measured by CDTI (S, E, A m/sn) and heart rate and blood pressure were measured during echocardiographic evaluation. Aortic stiffness index and aortic distensibility were calculated using the formulas (aortic stiffness index=ln(SKB/DKB)/(AoS-AoD)/AoD cm2 dynes-1, aortic distensibility=2x(AoS-AoD)/NBxAoD). Aortic stiffness index, aortic distensibility and S velocities (m/sn) of superior aortic wall were significantly different the in study group compared with the controls. (1.39±1.52 vs 0.54±32, p=0.002, 2.64±1.83 vs 7.11±4.33, p<0.001, 0.057±0.022 vs 0.069±0.027, p=0.029, respectively). Aortic stiffness index was negatively correlated with superior aortic wall S velocity (r=-30, p=0.007) and with E velocity (r=-0.34, p=0.002). Aortic distensibility was positively correlated with superior aortic wall S velocity (r=0.34, p=0.002) and with E velocity (r =0.37, p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
In patients with IGT, aortic stiffness index was higher and aortic distensibility lower than in normal controls. S velocity of superior wall of the aorta measured by CDTI decreased as aortic stiffness increased. (Türk Kardiyol Dern Arş 2004; 32: 16-22)