Assessment of Left Ventricular Geometry in Normotensive Type II Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Background: Abnormalities of glucose metabolism are associated with abnormal left ventricular geometry (LV) independent of atherosclerosis.  Abnormal LV geometry, a predictor of premature cardiovascular events, indicates presence of subclinical target organ damages. Screening for abnormal  LV geometry in diseases of abnormal glucose metabolism is desirable as part of their management protocol.

Aim: To assess the left ventricular geometry  in normotensive type II diabetic patients. Cross-sectional, descriptive, hospital-based study. One hundred normotensive type II diabetic  patients drawn from the Endocrinology and Family Medicine Clinics of a tertiary hospital were age- and gender-matched with 100 apparently healthy  controls. Participants meeting the criteria and informed consent proceeded for clinical evaluation, biochemical assessment, electrocardiography, and  echocardiography using the American Society of Echocardiography guideline.

Materials and Methods: Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package  for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 25.0 (Chicago Illinois, USA).

Results: Mean age of study and control groups was (55.56 ± 9.89 versus 55.47 ± 10.7) years  (χ² = 0.062, P = 0.951). The mean duration of diabetes illness was 6.57 ± 6.26 years. Prevalence of abnormal LV geometry was 51% (study) versus 18%  (control) FT, P < 0.001). Concentric remodeling was the predominant geometry in 36% of study versus 11% of controls, followed by eccentric hypertrophy  in 11% (study) versus 4% (control) and concentric hypertrophy in 4% (study) versus 3% (control). Geometry was normal in 49% of study against 82% in the  controls (FT, P < 0.001). Significant association existed between LV geometry and duration of diabetes (χ² = 10.793, P = 0.005).

Conclusion: Abnormal LV  geometry is highly prevalent in normotensive diabetic patients.