The combined effect of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus on aortic stiffness and endothelial dysfunction: An integrated study with high-resolution MRI

AbstractPurpose rpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) on aortic stiffness and endothelial dysfunction by using an integrated MRI approach. als and Methods l of 31 non-hypertensive DM2 patients and 31 hypertensive DM2 patients underwent 3.0-T MRI. Aortic distensibility (AD), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were assessed. Studentʹs t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-squared test, Pearson correlation analysis, and univariable and multiple linear regression analyses were used for statistical analyses. s pertensive patients showed lower AD at multiple levels (ascending aorta [AA]: 2.07 ± 0.98 × 10− 3 mm Hg− 1 vs. 3.21 ± 1.70 × 10− 3 mm Hg− 1, p < 0.01; proximal thoracic descending aorta [PDA]: 2.58 ± 0.72 × 10− 3 mm Hg− 1 vs. 3.58 ± 1.47 × 10− 3 mm Hg− 1, p < 0.01; distal descending aorta [DDA]: 3.11 ± 1.84 × 10− 3 mm Hg− 1 vs. 4.27 ± 1.75 × 10− 3 mm Hg− 1, p < 0.01); faster PWV (7.46 ± 2.28 m/s vs. 5.82 ± 1.12 m/s, p < 0.05) and lower FMD (12.67% ± 6.49% vs. 20.66% ± 9.7%; p < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure was an independent predictor of PWV, AA-AD, DDA-AD and FMD. FMD was statistically significantly associated with PWV (r = − 0.37, p < 0.01) and AD (p < 0.01). sions ension has a contributive effect on aortic stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in DM2 patients.