Abstract
Background
Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus. It is of great importance to identify early signs of cardiac pathology such as elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. The ratio of transmitral early filling velocity to early diastolic strain rate (E/e'sr) has in recent studies proved to be an accurate measure of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. Furthermore, E/e'sr has demonstrated strong prognostic value across different study populations.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of E/e'sr in a large cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in relation to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Methods
In this prospective study, 1082 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (mean age 50±15 years, 53% male, mean duration of diabetes 26 years) underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination including both conventional measurements and two-dimensional speckle tracking in which E/e'sr along with other echocardiographic measurements were obtained. The primary outcome was defined as a major cardiac event (heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death).
Results
During follow-up (median: 6.2 years, IQR: 5.7, 6.9) 144 (13.3%) met the composite outcome. E/e'sr was significantly associated with the composite outcome (E/e'sr: HR 1.36 95% CI [1.25–1.47], p<0.001, per 0.10m increase) (figure). E/e'sr remained an independent predictor after multivariable adjustment for age, gender, duration of diabetes, BMI, HbA1c, smoking status, level of physical activity, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol level, eGFR, albuminuria, LV ejection fraction, LV dimensions and left atrial volume index (E/e'sr: HR 1.16 95% CI [1.04–1.28], p=0.006, per 0.10m increase). Interestingly, E/e'sr was especially good as a prognosticator in female patients (p for interaction = 0.008) in a univariable model: (female: HR 1.53 95% CI [1.37–1.71], p<0.001, per 0.10m increase) (male: HR 1.23 95% CI [1.10–1.38], p<0.001, per 0.10m increase). In the same multivariable model as before, E/e'sr remained an independent predictor of the outcome in female patients whereas the same was not true for male patients (female: HR 1.39 95% CI [1.18–1.66], p<0.001, per 0.10m increase) vs (male: HR 1.05 95% CI [0.92–1.21], p=0.46, per 0.10m increase).
Conclusion
In patients with type 1 diabetes, E/e'sr provides independent prognostic information regarding cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, E/e'sr seems to have stronger prognostic value in female patients with type 1 diabetes.
Prognostic value of endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus