Local elasticity of the aorta in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective Arterial elasticity is important for assessing the state of an artery. This cross-sectional study aimed to non-invasively examine stiffness parameters of the ascending aorta in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We studied 58 patients, including 38 with T2DM and 20 controls. The stiffness of the aorta was evaluated during transthoracic echocardiography. Aortic parameters of stiffness, such as the stiffness index, elasticity index, and compliance index, were calculated using the aortic maximal diameter, aortic minimal diameter, and blood pressure. Results Pulse pressure values were significantly higher patients with T2DM than in controls. The β index was significantly higher in patients with T2DM lasting for >7 years compared with those with T2DM lasting for