(Circulation. 2000;101:2271.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.
Clinical Investigation and Reports |
From The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York (R.B.D., M.J.R., M.P., M.J.O.); School of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (E.T.L.); Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmens Health Board, Rapid City, SD (T.K.W.); National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Md (R.R.F.); Medstar Research Institute, Washington, DC (D.R., B.V.H.); and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md (E.R.R.).
Correspondence to Richard B. Devereux, MD, Division of Cardiology, Box 222, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 East 68th St, New York, NY 10021. E-mail rbdevere{at}mail.med.cornell.edu
| Abstract |
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Methods and ResultsEchocardiography was used in the Strong Heart Study, a study of cardiovascular disease in American Indians, to compare LV measurements between 1810 participants with DM and 944 with normal glucose tolerance. Participants with DM were older (mean age, 60 versus 59 years), had higher BMI (32.4 versus 28.9 kg/m2) and systolic blood pressure (133 versus 124 mm Hg), and were more likely to be female, to be on antihypertensive treatment, and to live in Arizona (all P<0.001). In analyses adjusted for covariates, women and men with DM had higher LV mass and wall thicknesses and lower LV fractional shortening, midwall shortening, and stress-corrected midwall shortening (all P<0.002). Pulse pressure/stroke volume, a measure of arterial stiffness, was higher in participants with DM (P<0.001 independent of confounders).
ConclusionsNoninsulin-dependent DM has independent adverse cardiac effects, including increased LV mass and wall thicknesses, reduced LV systolic chamber and myocardial function, and increased arterial stiffness. These findings identify adverse cardiovascular effects of DM, independent of associated increases in BMI and arterial pressure, that may contribute to cardiovascular events in diabetic individuals.
Key Words: diabetes mellitus echocardiography hypertrophy ventricles
| Introduction |
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Accordingly, the present study was undertaken to assess LV structure and function in individuals with and without DM among American Indians participating in the Strong Heart Study (SHS).14 15 16 This population includes tribes with various prevalence rates of both DM and coronary heart disease. The specific objectives were to determine whether (1) noninsulin-dependent DM is associated with LV hypertrophy and dysfunction in a population-based sample of middle-aged to elderly adults, (2) observed associations are independent of major correlates of LV hypertrophy (body size, BP, sex, and age), and (3) DM is associated with more severe LV abnormalities in women than in men.
| Methods |
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The second SHS examination was conducted in 1993 to 1995 to assess change over time in body habitus, BP, and other baseline measures and to add echocardiography. A total of 3630 surviving SHS enrollees participated in the second examination, an 89% return rate. Echocardiograms were performed in 3501 participants (97%), with the remainder missed because of delay in initiating echocardiography in 2 field centers.
Echocardiographic Methods
Imaging and Doppler echocardiograms were performed with
previously described methods.18 19 Studies were performed
by use of a standardized protocol and phased-array
echocardiographs with M-mode, 2-dimensional, and pulsed,
continuous-wave, and color-flow Doppler capabilities. Participants
were examined with the head of the examining table elevated about 30°
in a partial decubitus position. Recordings were made entirely
on videotape.
Echocardiographic Measurements
Correct orientation of planes for imaging and Doppler
recordings was verified as previously
described.18 19 Measurements were made with a computerized
review station equipped with digitizing tablet and monitor screen
overlay for calibration and measurement performance. LV
internal dimension and interventricular septal and
posterior wall thicknesses were measured at end diastole
and end systole by American Society of
Echocardiography (ASE)
recommendations.20 When optimal orientation of the M-mode
line could not be obtained, correctly oriented leading-edge linear
dimension measurements were made from 2-dimensional images by ASE
recommendations.21 Aortic annular diameter was measured as
previously described.18 22 Doppler transaortic flow
was assessed by identifying the projection in which peak flow
velocity was maximal and, after calibration, tracing the black-white
interface outlining the Doppler flow envelope.23 Heart
rate was measured simultaneously.
Calculation of Derived Variables
End-diastolic LV dimensions were used to calculate
LV mass by an anatomically validated formula.24 Relative
wall thickness and systolic fractional shortening of the LV
internal dimension and end-systolic stress (ESS) were
calculated by standard methods.19 25 Aortic annular
cross-sectional area was calculated as
x(diameter/2).2
Doppler stroke volume was calculated as annular cross-sectional
area times the time-velocity integral.23
Arterial stiffness was estimated by the ratio of pulse
pressure to stroke volume.26
Measures of Myocardial Performance
The primary approach to assess myocardial contractile efficiency
was examination of LV systolic shortening in relation to
ESS.27 Because the traditional practice of relating
endocardial shortening to mean ESS across the LV wall yields misleading
results in individuals with concentric geometry,25 primary
reliance was placed on the relation of LV midwall shortening to midwall
circumferential ESS at the LV minor axis; these variables were
calculated as previously described.25 27 28 To evaluate LV
performance taking circumferential ESS into account, observed
midwall shortening was expressed as a percent of the value predicted
from circumferential ESS with an equation derived from apparently
normal adults.25 This variable is called
stress-corrected midwall shortening.29
Statistical Analyses
Data, expressed as mean±SD, were analyzed by use of
SPSS software. Differences between the DM and non-DM groups were
assessed by independent Students t test and by ANOVA with
consideration of appropriate covariates. Independent associations of DM
with measures of LV structure or function were assessed by multiple
linear regression with an enter procedure. Because of differences
between SHS participants in Arizona, Oklahoma, and North and South
Dakota for several clinical variables identified from the first
examination16 and confirmed in the second examination
for prevalence of DM (see below) and other variables (data not
shown), indicator variables comparing Arizona and Oklahoma
participants with those in North and South Dakota were entered as
covariates. In addition to primary multivariate
analyses in which DM and sex were considered main effects,
supplemental multivariate analyses also
considered a variable representing female sexby-DM
interaction, constructed as the product of indicator variables
for DM (normal glucose tolerance=0, DM=1) and sex (male=0 and
female=1). Because of the large number of variables
analyzed, P<0.01 was considered significant.
| Results |
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Findings in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Women
The 1227 diabetic women had higher body mass indexes and
systolic BPs and were more likely to live in Arizona and be
receiving antihypertensive medication than the 478 with normal glucose
tolerance.
LV and Hemodynamic Characteristics
Mean interventricular septal and posterior LV wall
thicknesses were greater in diabetic women, with no difference between
groups in LV chamber size (Table 2
);
therefore, relative wall thickness was greater in diabetic individuals.
In parallel, LV mass in absolute terms or indexed for measures of body
size was 9% to 14% greater in diabetic than glucose-tolerant women.
Mean endocardial fractional shortening was slightly lower in diabetic
women; both midwall shortening and stress-corrected midwall shortening
were statistically lower in those with DM. Cardiac index was similar in
the 2 groups, whereas peripheral resistance was slightly
lower in diabetic women. Mean pulse pressure/stroke volume, an indirect
measure of arterial stiffness, was
12% higher in
diabetic women.
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Findings in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Men
The 583 diabetic men were older, had substantially higher body
mass indexes and systolic BP, had slightly higher
diastolic BP, and were more likely to be Arizona residents
and to be on antihypertensive medication than the 466 glucose-tolerant
men.
LV and Hemodynamic Characteristics
Similar to findings in women, diabetic men had greater mean LV
wall thicknesses than nondiabetic men, with no difference in LV chamber
size (Table 3
). LV mass in absolute terms
or indexed for measures of body size was higher, by 6% to 12%, in
diabetic men. In parallel with results in women, LV endocardial and
midwall shortening and stress-corrected midwall shortening were all
lower in diabetic men, with no between-group difference in cardiac
index or peripheral resistance. Similar to results in
women, pulse pressure/stroke volume was
13% higher in diabetic than
glucose-tolerant men.
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Results of Multivariate Analyses
Multiple linear regression models were first developed separately
in women and men for each dependent variable listed in Table 4
with consideration of age, height, body
mass index, systolic BP, use of antihypertensive medication,
and region of residence as covariates, in addition to the primary
independent variable representing DM or normal glucose
tolerance. Because results of analyses in the 2 sexes were
virtually identical, subsequent multiple linear regressions combined
both sexes, with the addition of an indicator variable for sexes.
As shown in Table 4
, DM was independently associated with
greater absolute and relative LV wall thicknesses (but not larger
chamber size) and with higher absolute and indexed LV mass independent
of all confounders. Older age and higher systolic BP also had
independent positive associations with LV wall thicknesses and mass,
whereas associations of the latter with height, body mass index,
antihypertensive medication, and North or South Dakota residence were
less consistent.
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DM, as well as male sex and antihypertensive medication use, also had strong, statistically independent associations with lower LV endocardial shortening, midwall shortening, and stress-corrected midwall shortening. DM had independent associations with higher cardiac output, lower peripheral resistance, and especially higher pulse pressure/stroke volume, an index of increased arterial stiffness. Alternative analyses in which stroke volume/pulse pressure replaced systolic BP confirmed independent associations of DM with measures of LV structure and function. Additional regression analyses showed no associations between the sex-by-DM interaction and measures of LV structure or function (P=0.07 to 0.89).
| Discussion |
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Diabetes and LV Structure
One previous report from Framingham identified associations of DM
with higher LV wall thickness and mass in women but not in men. The
present report confirms and extends this observation by
demonstrating associations of LV absolute and relative wall
thicknesses, as well as LV mass in absolute terms and indexed for
measures of body size with DM in both men and women. The differences in
LV structure between diabetic and glucose-tolerant individuals seen in
univariate analyses remained statistically
significant (generally P<0.001) in
multivariate analyses that took relevant
confounders into account.
Of greatest potential clinical relevance, the prognostically validated measures of LV mass indexed for body surface area or (height)2.7 were greater by 6% to 9% and by 12% to 14%, respectively, in diabetic compared with glucose-tolerant women and men. Future research will be needed to determine whether and to what extent the abnormalities of LV structure that we have identified in diabetic individuals contribute to their excess risk of cardiovascular events.
Diabetes and LV Function
A notable and hitherto unreported finding in the present study
is that both LV chamber and myocardial function are significantly lower
in diabetic than in glucose-tolerant women and men. This finding is
particularly notable in view of the greater absolute and relative LV
wall thicknesses in diabetic compared with nondiabetic participants,
which would be expected to yield increased LV chamber function if
myocardial function were normal and to keep it normal if myocardial
function were mildly decreased.25 30 Precedent for our
findings is provided by a report from Framingham9 in which
LV fractional shortening was reduced in men but not women with DM. In
keeping with these observations, stress-corrected LV midwall shortening
was
5% lower in diabetic adults. Results of a previous study in
hypertensive adults31 suggest that lower values of this
contractility index are likely to predict a higher rate
of cardiovascular events. Future research is needed to
determine the prognostic significance of noninvasively detected
myocardial dysfunction in diabetic adults.
Systemic Hemodynamics in Diabetic and
Nondiabetic Subjects
No consistent, independent associations between DM and
classic hemodynamic measures of cardiac output and
peripheral resistance were detected in our
analyses. In contrast, a clear and consistent result of
the present study is that stiffness of the systemic
arterial tree, estimated by the ratio of pulse pressure to
stroke volume, is higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic women and men.
The
12% increase in this parameter in diabetic SHS
participants is slightly greater than the between-group differences in
measures of LV structure and function. This result is in keeping with
the widely accepted concept that DM has adverse effects on large
arteries and the microcirculation. Although pulse pressure/stroke
volume is an index that can be measured noninvasively by simple
methods,26 it is important to emphasize that most of this
difference between groups is attributable to pulse pressure being
higher by a mean of 7 mm Hg in diabetic individuals. Of note, an
association between DM and elevated arterial stiffness has
been detected previously.32 One possible mechanism of this
association, which might also be relevant to LV abnormalities, is the
nonenzymatic production of irreversible advanced glycosylated
end products that has been observed in arteries of
diabetics.33 Although increased pulse pressure/stroke
volume did not appear to mediate the association between DM and LV
abnormalities, preliminary data obtained through applanation
tonometry34 in a subset of the present population an
average of
3 years later revealed alterations in the central
arterial pressure waveform, including an earlier peak of
the reflected wave (by a mean of 8 ms) and a higher ratio of peak to
dicrotic notch pressure (by a mean of 3%) in diabetic than
glucose-tolerant individuals (both P<0.05). Further
research with concurrent arterial pressure waveform and
echocardiographic measurements is needed to elucidate
the role of altered arterial dynamics in DM-associated
cardiac abnormalities.
Impact of Sex on the Cardiovascular Effects of
Diabetes
Contrary to one of our hypotheses, there were no appreciable
differences between women and men in the magnitude of DM-associated
abnormalities of LV structure or function or of arterial
stiffness. Thus, absolute and indexed LV mass values were higher in
diabetic than glucose-tolerant participants by 9% to 14% among women
and by 6% to 12% among men. Similarly, stress-corrected midwall
shortening was 5% lower and the ratio of pulse pressure to stroke
volume was
12% higher in diabetic women and men. The
consistent lack of any discernible sex difference across a
variety of measures of cardiovascular structure and
function strongly suggests that the greater impact of DM on
coronary heart disease risk in women than in men is not
mediated via a differential effect on these measures of preclinical
cardiovascular disease. An alternative mechanism,
previously reported from the SHS,4 is that conventional
risk factors are proportionally more abnormal in women than men with
DM.
Study Limitations
The present study assessed stroke volume and myocardial
performance by noninvasive methods that necessarily involve
approximations. Nevertheless, compared with invasive reference
standards, Doppler echocardiography has been
shown to determine stroke volume and cardiac output
accurately.23 Similarly, the noninvasive stress-shortening
measures we used to provide approximate estimates of myocardial
contractile efficiency have been used in invasive
studies.27 28
Another characteristic of the present study, its performance in an American Indian population, may constitute a strength. The high prevalence of DM in this population (compared with rates of 2% in women and 4% in men in Framingham9 ), the rarity of insulin-dependent DM in American Indians, and careful ascertainment of glucose tolerance status in the SHS are advantages of the present study. The ability to assess relations of DM to cardiac structure and function and to systemic hemodynamics in a population with an exceptional prevalence of DM illustrates the portability and robustness of imaging and Doppler echocardiography. Further research is needed to determine the applicability of present findings to populations with different ethnicity and lower prevalences of DM.
| Acknowledgments |
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Received August 20, 1999; revision received November 23, 1999; accepted December 13, 1999.
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