Skip to main content
Download PDF

Pragmatic clinic-based investigation of echocardiogram parameters in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice and its association with suggestive coronary artery disease: a pilot study

Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome volume 15, Article number: 162 (2023) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a major cause of mortality and morbidity. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the echocardiographic parameters that showed alterations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) with suggestive coronary artery disease (CAD) determined by electrocardiography and the secondary was to assess the relationship of these alterations with established cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional, observational pilot study included 152 consecutive patients with T2DM who attended a tertiary DM outpatient care center. All patients underwent clinical examination and history, anthropometric measurements, demographic survey, determination of the Framingham global risk score, laboratory evaluation, basal electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Results

From the overall sample, 134 (88.1%) patients underwent an electrocardiogram. They were divided into two groups: patients with electrocardiograms suggestive of CAD (n = 11 [8.2%]) and those with normal or non-ischemic alterations on electrocardiogram (n = 123 [91.79%]). In the hierarchical multivariable logistic model examining all selected independent factors that entered into the model, sex, high triglycerides levels, and presence of diabetic retinopathy were associated with CAD in the final model. No echocardiographic parameters were significant in multivariate analysis. The level of serum triglycerides (threshold) related to an increased risk of CAD was ≥ 184.5 mg/dl (AUC = 0.70, 95% IC [0.51–0.890]; p = 0.026.

Conclusion

Our pilot study demonstrated that no echocardiogram parameters could predict or determine CAD. The combination of CIMT and Framingham risk score is ideal to determine risk factors in asymptomatic patients with T2DM. Patients with diabetic retinopathy and hypertriglyceridemia need further investigation for CAD. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our results.

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a major cause of mortality and morbidity. These includes arteriosclerotic diseases (coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease) and heart failure (HF) [1]. Despite recent improvements in the treatment of DM-related chronic complications, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continue to die due to cardiovascular diseases [2]. Screening for ischemic cardiovascular disease in patients with asymptomatic DM is not routinely indicated. Even though some studies have shown that may be already silent ischemia in one in five and severe ischemia in one in 15 cases of asymptomatic patients with DM [3]. The proportion of myocardial ischemia varies from 22 to 44% among studies, and only few studies of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) assess the incidence of the disease in this group of patients [4].

Screening for SMI in asymptomatic patients with T2DM is not well established, especially in those with intensive therapy addressed for comorbidities such as obesity, smoking, hypertension and dyslipidemia [5], despite having worse prognosis. Furthermore, an increased risk of cardiovascular death in patients with T2DM has been recently related to any degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR) [6].

Regarding examinations, the Brazilian Diabetes Association and American Diabetes Association [1, 7] recommend performing only baseline electrocardiography (ECG) annually for patients with DM. Baseline electrocardiography is a simple and inexpensive test for routine investigation of CVD in DM. Although other tests such as: ergometric test, echocardiography with pharmacological stress, coronary angio-tomography, ankle-brachial index (ABI) and the coronary artery calcium score (CAC) can assess the positivity of myocardial ischemia and subclinical atherosclerosis, they can help stratify cardiovascular risk with traditional risk factors in asymptomatic patients. Whether the use of these more expensive tests alters the treatment and prognosis of asymptomatic patients remains unclear [1, 7].

According to actual guidelines [8], echocardiogram can be done only in patients with suggestive heart disease. This method of investigation can detect structural and functional cardiac alterations such as: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, decreased LV diastolic and systolic function, diastolic dysfunction (DD) (25–75%) and reduced ejection fraction (1%). It is noteworthy that some of the above mentioned alterations can also occur in other clinical conditions such as: hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity that are also present in patients with T2DM.This results in a controversial issue about DM being an independent risk factor for the presence of those echocardiographic alterations. Considering heart disease as one of the most important cause of mortality in patients with T2DM, early identification of patients with increased risk can modify the clinical course of this disease even in patients without cardiac symptoms [9,10,11].

The primary purpose of the study was to assess the echocardiographic parameters that showed alterations in patients with T2DM with suggestive coronary artery disease (CAD) determined by electrocardiography and the secondary was to assess the relationship of these alterations with established cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Study design, ethics and population

This was an observational pilot, cross-sectional, study of 152 consecutive patients with T2DM who were attended at a tertiary DM outpatient care center at Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, State University of Rio de Janeiro (PPC/UERJ). The Institutional Research Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (number CAAE: 31940114.8.0000.5259). The inclusion and exclusion criteria, clinical variables, comorbidities, renal function, DR, Framingham risk score (FRS) and determination of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were all previously described [12].

A basal electrocardiogram (Cardiocare 2000 Bionet®) was performed in an appropriated environment after a resting period of 15 min by an experient cardiologist who reported the results and was blinded to the patient data, except for the diagnosis of T2DM. The final interpretation was divided into three classifications: normal reports, reports suggestive of CAD (spiked or inverted T wave, ST-segment elevation or depression, Q wave) [13] and reports of altered non-CAD. Each category was defined in accordance with the guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology [13].

Echocardiographic images were obtained by a single experienced cardiologist, in accordance with the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography [14]. The examinations were carried out using a Philips Eco-Color Doppler ultrasound device, model iE33, with an S5-1 (1–5 MHz) sector heart probe and L11-3 Hz linear probe (3–11 MHZ) and semi-automatic edge detection program QLAB7 0.1 during the morning, after a patient rest of at least 5 min, in a climate-controlled room with dim light. The LV ejection fraction was determined using Teichholtz method. The ejection fraction classification was as follows: reduced (< 40%), mid-range (between 40 and 49%) and preserved (≥ 50%) [9]. Vascular age (VA) was defined according to the ARIC study normality tables [15]. VA was determined by the mean CIMT value for each side (right and left) that represented the 50th percentile. This calculated VA was used instead of chronological age (CA) for cardiovascular risk stratification using the FRS.

Statistical analysis

Firstly, we conducted an exploratory analysis, and data are presented as mean (standard deviation), median values (interquartile range, IQR) for continuous variables, and numbers (relative frequencies) for discrete variables. For comparison of variables with abnormal distribution we have used the Mann–Whitney test. For comparison between categorical variables, we have used X2 and Fisher tests. To further explore the relationship among CAD and demographic, laboratory, echocardiographic data, presence of DM-related chronic complications, and other traditional risk factors related to CAD, a multivariable hierarchical logistic regression (Backward Wald model) was performed to determine which variables could be associated with the presence of CAD as a dependent variable. To select the independent variables, we chose those with statistical significance in exploratory (p ≤ 0.1) or clinical plausibility. Subsequently, the order of entry into the model started with demographic and social data (gender, self-reported color-race, smoking, self- reported frequency of physical activity) followed by clinical data (myocardial infarction, abdominal circumference) and use of drugs (use of statins), laboratory data (total cholesterol, uric acid, and albuminuria), and data related to DM-related chronic complications (presence of DR) and cardiovascular evaluation, neuropathy, FRS, and parameters of echocardiography. Model fit was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow and Omnibus tests. The calculated Nagelkerke R2 and the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were expressed where indicated. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was applied to identify the level of serum triglycerides related to an increased risk of CAD with the estimated area under the ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence with the optimal Youden index. Statistical significance was defined as a two-sided P-value of < 0.05. SPSS version 25.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Description of demographic and laboratory data

A total of 152 asymptomatic patients with T2DM were enrolled and an overview of the study population is presented in Table 1.

Table 1 Clinical and laboratory characteristics of the studied population
Full size table

Description of the study population by basal electrocardiogram

In the overall sample, 134 (88.1%) patients performed the electrocardiogram. They were divided into two groups: patients with electrocardiograms suggestive of coronary artery disease (n = 11) and those with normal or non-ischemic alterations on electrocardiogram (n = 123). The flowchart of the selection of study subjects is presented in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Flowchart of patients

Full size image

Differences between the two groups regarding demographic data, positive family history of T2DM, obesity, hypertension, premature CAD, anthropometric data, classic cardiovascular risk factors, treatment data, DM-related chronic complications, and laboratory data are presented in Table 2. The level of serum triglycerides (theresold) related to an increased risk of CAD was ≥ 184.5 mg/dl (AUC = 0.70, 95% IC [0.51–0.890]; p = 0.026.

Table 2 Clinical, treatment and laboratory differences in patients with and without coronary artery disease determined by electrocardiogram
Full size table

Cardiovascular assessment was performed using global FRS risk stratification, echocardiography, CIMT measurement, VA derived from IMT, and replacement of VA in FRS. The two groups were compared in terms of these parameters, and the data are presented in Table 3.

Table 3 Cardiovascular evaluation of patients with and without coronary artery disease determined by electrocardiogram
Full size table

Description of multivariable analysis with the presence of suggestive coronary artery disease as a dependent variable

In the hierarchical multivariable logistic model examining all selected independent factors that entered into the model, sex, high triglyceride levels, and presence of DR were associated with CAD in the final model. No association was found regarding the other variables. All the independent variables which entered in the model could explain 35.3% (Nagelkerke R-squared) of a patient in our sample having suggestive CAD. When sex was replaced by the FRS with CA, no significance was found. No echocardiographic parameters were significant in the multivariate analysis. In this model, all the independent variables which entered in the model could explain 25.1% (Nagelkerke R-squared) of a given patient presenting suggestive CAD. When sex was replaced by the FRS with VA, this variable was significant. In this model, all the independent variables which entered in the model could explain 35.4% (Nagelkerke R-squared) of a patient in our sample having suggestive CAD. All data are described in Table 4.

Table 4 Final adjusted hierarchical multivariable logistic models: A model with gender as independent variable. B: model with FRS and VA as independent variable. C: model with FRS and CA as independent variable
Full size table

Discussion

Our pilot study demonstrated that no echocardiogram parameters could predict and/or determine suggestive CAD. The combination of CIMT and FRS was most effective in identifying risk factors in asymptomatic patients with T2DM.

The Brazilian Diabetes Guidelines and the American Association of Diabetes (ADA) recommend performing an annual baseline electrocardiogram in patients for determining risk scores and a better stratification of cardiovascular risk in patients with DM [1, 7]. The use of noninvasive tools associated with the optimization of clinical treatment has already been shown to be superior to several invasive procedures, according to previous studies. Referência???

In our study, males were more frequently found to present electrocardiograms suggestive of CAD than females. In a systematic review of more than 4.5 million patients with T2DM, it was observed a prevalence of CVD of 32.2% with higher rates among in men than women. In this latter study, CAD was observed in (21.2%) and stroke in (7.6%) of the patients [16]. However other studies have demonstrated a 25–50% increased risk of CVD in women with T2DM [17]. It is supposed that this occurs since women have higher blood pressure, higher frequency of endothelial dysfunction, more abnormalities in their mechanisms of fibrinolysis and thrombosis compared to those who do not develop DM [2].On the other hand, VA assumes that the shift of CA to VA derived from vascular imaging data (where CIMT may suggest the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis) could lead to refinement of adequate cardiovascular risk? [18, 19]. In symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with T2DM, previous studies [20] demonstrated that the combination of the FRS with CIMT provided superior discriminating power for cardiovascular events compared to the use of the FRS alone.

Higher levels of triglycerides were observed in the group with suggestive CAD by electrocardiogram and although 100% of the patients in this group were using statins, the majority of them were outside the therapeutic target recommended for stratified cardiovascular risk. The present study showed a level of triglycerides ≥ 184.5 mg/dl as threshold for the presence of CAD. Hypertriglyceridemia can be associated with higher circulating concentration of atherogenic remnant cholesterol or even higher atherogenic small, dense low-density lipoproteins (LDLc) and an increased risk of CVD [21]. Patients with high triglycerides levels could represent a subgroup that requires more intensive therapy since they are exposed to higher cardiovascular risk. Non- HDLc is recommended as a secondary lipid target since it is more intrinsically related to atherosclerotic CVD compared to LDLc alone. It includes not only LDLc but other proatherogenic lipoproteins such as: apolipoprotein B, lipoproteins rich in triglycerides ([TRLs]), intermediate and very low-density lipoproteins, chylomicrons and their remnants and lipoprotein(a) that are responsible for the persistent residual risk even after control of LDLc levels [22].

The presence of DR, a chronic microvascular DM-related complication, is an important factor associated with an electrocardiogram suggestive of CAD. This fact has already been evaluated in patients with DM, including those with type 1 diabetes [6, 23]. Hyperglycemia can cause small vessel damage such as diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative DR that are retinal microvascular hyperglycemia-induced complications. Microvascular retinal impairment (DME or PDR) may reflect a more generalized vascular impairment in patients with DM2 and, therefore, could be considered a marker of vascular impairment in other organs such as brain and heart. Although the presence of DR was a significant variable in our study, this finding should be evaluated with caution since the confidence interval was wide due to the small sample of patients.

There is a non-significant difference in A1c% of almost 1% between the groups with and without CAD determined by ECG; however, it is relevant since larger studies with more than 5,000 participants such as the UKPDS study, have demonstrated that this difference can decrease the risk of microvascular complications in patients with T2DM [24]. Other studies also confirmed a 15% myocardial infarction risk reduction for a 0.88% lower A1c% [25].

Regarding echocardiogram, the guidelines recommend that it can be performed in patients with suggestive heart disease. Many structural and functional changes can be detected by echocardiography in patients with T2DM: LV hypertrophy, decreased diastolic and systolic LV function, diastolic dysfunction (DD) (25–75%) and reduced ejection fraction (1%) [11, 26]. However, despite LV hypertrophy, increased LV mass, and DD being present in patients with T2DM, there are controversies about DM itself being an independent risk factor, since factors such as arterial hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia often coexist in these patients, as demonstrated in the present study [27, 28]. Early identification of subclinical LV dysfunction can identify patients at an increased risk earlier in the disease course, even in asymptomatic T2DM patients with a normal ejection fraction, allowing potential preventive therapeutic objectives [29]. Finally, as demonstrated in various clinical settings, detailed assessment of myocardial strain parameters would have provided incremental diagnostic and prognostic information as suggested in a study conducted by Sonaglioni et al. [30]

Limitations

It is worth considering that our pilot study, has some limitations. First, patients were recruited from a tertiary center and only one patient had ejection fraction below 40%. This latter fact did not allow us to carry out a comparative analysis between patients with preserved and reduced ejection fractions categories.

Second, DR was classified as present or absent also due to the small sample size. This did not allow us to determine which degree of DR was more prevalent and more related with CAD.

Third, it was difficult obtaining adequate albuminuria samples for the determination of DRD according to the guidelines. We considered GFR reduction < 60 ml/min as the first stage of DRD. Finally, the results concerning the AUC for the level of triglycerides that are discriminatory for the presence of CAD were of moderate accuracy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this was a pilot study in an admixed population with low socioeconomic status and inadequate glycemic control, where the use of not invasive cardiovascular exams led to early detection of CAD in asymptomatic patients with T2D. The combination of CIMT and FRS score was more efficient in determining risk factors in asymptomatic patients with T2D. No echocardiogram parameter was able to detect the suggestive presence of CAD. Patients with DR and hypertriglyceridemia deserve further investigation for CAD. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our results.

Abbreviations

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

CVD:

Cardiovascular diseases

HF:

Heart failure

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

SMI:

Silent myocardial ischemia

DR:

Diabetic retinopathy

ECG:

Electrocardiography

LV:

Left ventricular

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

FRS:

Framingham risk score

VA:

Vascular age

CIMT:

Carotid intima-media thickness

CA:

Chronological age

ADA:

American Diabetes Association

LDLc:

Low-density lipoproteins

DME:

Diabetic macular edema

References

  1. Disease C, Management R. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(Supplement 1):S125.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Preis SR, Hwang SJ, Coady S, et al. Trends in all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among women and men with and without diabetes mellitus in the Framingham Heart Study, 1950 to 2005. Circulation. 2009;119(13):1728–35.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Bax JJ, Young LH, Frye RL, Bonow RO, Steinberg HO, Barrett EJ. Screening for coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30(10):2729–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Sheifer SE, Manolio TA, Gersh BJ. Unrecognized myocardial infarction. 11.

  5. Shirani J, Dilsizian V. Screening asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for coronary artery disease: does it improve patient outcome? Curr Cardiol Rep. 2010;12(2):140–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Xu XH, Sun B, Zhong S, Wei DD, Hong Z, Dong AQ. Diabetic retinopathy predicts cardiovascular mortality in diabetes: a meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2020;20(1):478.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Bertoluci MC, Moreira RO, Faludi A, et al. Brazilian guidelines on prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes: a position statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD), the Brazilian Cardiology Society (SBC) and the Brazilian Endocrinology and Metabolism Society (SBEM). Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2017;9(1):1–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. ESC Guidelines on diabetes. pre-diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases developed in collaboration with the EASD: The Task Force for diabetes, pre-diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Rev Española Cardiol (English Edn). 2020;73(5):404.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rohde LEP, Montera MW, Bocchi EA, et al. Diretriz Brasileira de Insuficiência Cardíaca Crônica e Aguda. ABC. Published online 2018

  10. Ng ACT, Delgado V, Bertini M, et al. Findings from left ventricular strain and strain rate imaging in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am J Cardiol. 2009;104(10):1398–401.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Nguyen MT, Cosson E, Valensi P, Poignard P, Nitenberg A, Pham I. Transthoracic echocardiographic abnormalities in asymptomatic diabetic patients: association with microalbuminuria and silent coronary artery disease. Diabetes Metab. 2011;37(4):343–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Silva Sousa Vergara Palma CC, Moura Lopes P, Leao Clemente Silva E, da Matta Bevilaqua MF, de Souza Bomfim A, Brito Gomes M. Vascular age as a cardiovascular risk marker in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes. DMSO. 2020;13:2505–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Nicolau JC, Feitosa GS, Petriz JL, et al. Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre Angina Instável e Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio sem Supradesnível do Segmento ST—2021. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021;117(1):181–264.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Mitchell C, Rahko PS, Blauwet LA, et al. Guidelines for performing a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination in adults: recommendations from the American Society of Echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2019;32(1):1–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Howard G, Sharrett AR, Heiss G, et al. Carotid artery intimal-medial thickness distribution in general populations as evaluated by B-mode ultrasound. ARIC Investigators Stroke. 1993;24(9):1297–304.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Einarson TR, Acs A, Ludwig C, Panton UH. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review of scientific evidence from across the world in 2007–2017. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2018;17(1):83.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Huebschmann AG, Huxley RR, Kohrt WM, Zeitler P, Regensteiner JG, Reusch JEB. Sex differences in the burden of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk across the life course. Diabetologia. 2019;62(10):1761–72.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Stein JH, Fraizer MC, Aeschlimann S, Nelson-Worel J, McBride PE, Douglas PS. Vascular age: Integrating carotid intima-media thickness measurements with global coronary risk assessment: vascular age: integrating carotid intima-media thickness measurements with global coronary risk assessment. Clin Cardiol. 2004;27(7):388–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Groenewegen K, den Ruijter H, Pasterkamp G, Polak J, Bots M, Peters SA. Vascular age to determine cardiovascular disease risk: a systematic review of its concepts, definitions, and clinical applications. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2016;23(3):264–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Adolphe AB, Huang X, Cook LS. Carotid intima-media thickness determined vascular age and the framingham risk score: critical pathways in cardiology. J Evid Based Med. 2011;10(4):173–9.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lawler PR, Kotrri G, Koh M, et al. Real-world risk of cardiovascular outcomes associated with hypertriglyceridaemia among individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and potential eligibility for emerging therapies. Eur Heart J. 2019;41:86–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Vallejo-Vaz AJ, Corral P, Schreier L, Ray KK. Triglycerides and residual risk. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2020;27(2):95–103.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Avogaro A, Fadini GP. Microvascular complications in diabetes: A growing concern for cardiologists. Int J Cardiol. 2019;291:29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). The Lancet. 1998;352(9131):837–853.

  25. Turnbull FM, Abraira C, Anderson RJ, et al. Intensive glucose control and macrovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2009;52(11):2288–98.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Mesquita ET, Jorge AJL. Entendendo a disfunção diastólica assintomática na prática clínica. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013;100(1):94–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhao Z, Hou C, Ye X, Cheng J. Echocardiographic changes in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without hypertension. Med Sci Monit. 2020;26.

  28. Iwakura K. Heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: assessment with echocardiography and effects of antihyperglycemic treatments. J Echocardiogr. 2019;17(4):177–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Holland DJ, Marwick TH, Haluska BA, et al. Subclinical LV dysfunction and 10-year outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Heart. 2015;101(13):1061–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Sonaglioni A, Barlocci E, Adda G, Esposito V, Ferrulli A, Nicolosi GL, Bianchi S, Lombardo M, Luzi L. The impact of short-term hyperglycemia and obesity on biventricular and biatrial myocardial function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography in a population of women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2022;32(2):456–68.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Eliete Leão e Maria de Fátima Bevilacqua for their contribution for data collection, management, and monitoring the study participants.

Funding

This study was funded by Fundação do Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Unit, State University Hospital of Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, Av. 28 de Setembro, No. 77, 3 Andar, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil

    Catia Cristina Silva Sousa Vergara Palma & Marilia Brito Gomes

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Unit, State University Hospital of Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, Av. 28 de Setembro, No. 77, 2 Andar, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Pablo Moura Lopes & Alfredo de Souza Bomfim

Authors
  1. Catia Cristina Silva Sousa Vergara Palma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pablo Moura Lopes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alfredo de Souza Bomfim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marilia Brito Gomes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

CCSSVP: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing, Project administration; PML:: Data Curation, Investigation; ASB: Data Curation; Investigation; MBG: Supervision, Formal analysis, Writing, Funding acquisition.All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catia Cristina Silva Sousa Vergara Palma.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The Institutional Research Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (number CAAE:31940114.8.0000.5259) before enrolment. All participants provided written informed consents before intervention.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Palma, C.C.S.S.V., Lopes, P.M., de Souza Bomfim, A. et al. Pragmatic clinic-based investigation of echocardiogram parameters in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice and its association with suggestive coronary artery disease: a pilot study. Diabetol Metab Syndr 15, 162 (2023). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s13098-023-01128-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s13098-023-01128-4

Keywords

Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome

ISSN: 1758-5996

Contact us