The positive correlation between brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity and aortic diameter in Chinese patients with diabetes

Aortic dilation is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Increased brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a hallmark of vascular aging and arterial stiffness, as well as an important risk factor for vascular disease. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the correlation between baPWV and aortic diameter (AoD) of inpatients with diabetes. A total of 1294 diabetic patients with the detailed medical records were investigated. Arterial stiffness was assessed using baPWV and AoD using echocardiography. The results showed that baPWV and AoD increase with age (p <0.05). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, left atrial diameter, right ventricle diameter, pulmonary artery diameter, peak velocity of early transmitral blood flow/peak velocity of late transmitral blood flow, and baPWV independently correlated with AoD in patients with diabetes. Additionally, an increased risk of aortic dilation occurred in the highest baPWV quartile compared with the lowest quartile (p <0.001). In conclusion, baPWV is independently and positively associated with AoD. Hence, prospective cohorts or randomized clinical trials will be the next step to further determine whether interventions designed to improve arterial stiffness in patients with diabetes will reduce the risk of aortic dilation.