Relationship between HgbA1c and Myocardial Blood Flow Reserve in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Noninvasive Assessment Using Real-Time Myocardial Perfusion Echocardiography

To study the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) and myocardial perfusion in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, we prospectively enrolled 24 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent adenosine stress by real-time myocardial perfusion echocardiography (RTMPE). HgbA1c was measured at time of RTMPE. Microbubble velocity (β min(−1)), myocardial blood flow (MBF, mL/min/g), and myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) were quantified. Quantitative MCE analysis was feasible in all patients (272/384 segments, 71%). Those with HgbA1c > 7.1% had significantly lower β (reserve) and MBFR than those with HgbA1c ≤ 7.1% (P < 0.05). In patients with suspected CAD, there was a significant inverse correlation between MBFR and HgbA1c (r = −0.279, P = 0.01); however, in those with known CAD, this relationship was not significant (r = −0.117, P = 0.129). Using a MBFR cutoff value > 2 as normal, HgbA1c > 7.1% significantly increased the risk for abnormal MBFR, (adjusted odds ratio: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12–3.35, P = 0.02). Optimal glycemic control is associated with preservation of MBFR as determined by RTMPE, in T2DM patients at risk for CAD.