The Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Aortic Root Diameter and Left Ventricular Mass Index in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Arterial stiffness, diabetes mellitus, and left ventricular hypertrophy are common comorbidities in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to evaluate the complex relationships between ARD, T2DM, and LVMI in hypertensive patients. Methods: This single-center observational comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiology department of Nasr City Insurance Hospital from September 2022 to August 2023. Hypertensive patients were categorized into two groups: Group (1) consisted of diabetic hypertensive patients, while Group (2) included hypertensive patients without diabetes. Detailed patient histories, physical examinations, and laboratory investigations were performed. Echocardiography assessed ARD, LVMI, and other cardiac parameters. Results: Group 1 exhibited higher waist-hip ratios, heart rates, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and Triglyceride/HDL ratio compared to Group 2. In contrast, diastolic blood pressure and HDL were lower in Group 1. Echocardiographic findings showed Group 1 had thicker interventricular septum, posterior wall, and higher relative wall thickness. LV systolic and diastolic functions were impaired in Group 1, as indicated by lower EF, stress-corrected Midwall FS%, LVDsi, and LVDdi. Echocardiographic parameters, such as early velocity wave, atrial velocity wave, and deceleration time, were also altered in Group 1. Conclusion: There is an inverse association between defects and aortic root diameter. When suggesting a protective role of DM on aortic root diameter.