Evaluation of the relationship between blood glukoz regulation and aortic stiffness and arrhythmia frequency in diabetic patients with heart failure

Durmaz F.E., Evaluation of the Relationship Between Glycemic Control and Aortic Stiffness and Arrhythmia Frequency in Diabetic Patients with Heart Failure, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Specialization Thesis in Medicine. Eskişehir, 2024. Diabetes and heart failure are significant risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and optimal glycemic control in these conditions plays a critical role in preventing cardiovascular complications. However, the impact of HbA1c on arterial stiffness and arrhythmic events in this patient group has not yet been fully elucidated. In our study, we evaluated the relationship between glycemic control, aortic stiffness, and arrhythmia frequency in diabetic patients with heart failure. A total of 86 patients were included in the study, with 29 patients having controlled diabetes treatment and 57 patients having uncontrolled diabetes treatment. Baseline and 6-month aortic stiffness parameters of the patients were measured using the SphygmoCor device, while arrhythmia records from implanted cardiac devices were recorded at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up. The Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (CF-PWV) value was found to be significantly lower in the controlled diabetes group compared to the uncontrolled diabetes group (9.4 (8.3-11.5) vs. 12.0 (9.6-15.0), p=0.009). A moderate positive (r=0.250) and significant (p=0.01) correlation was found between HbA1c levels and CF-PWV, while a moderate positive (r=0.296) and significant (p=0.006) correlation was found between CF-PWV value and diabetes duration. Among patients with Non-Sustained/Sustained VT detected between baseline and the 6-month follow- up, the baseline HbA1c level was observed to be statistically significantly lower compared to those without Non-Sustained/Sustained VT (6.8±0.6 vs. 7.8±1.5, p=0.005). Similarly, in patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation detected between baseline and the 6-month follow-up, the baseline HbA1c level was significantly lower compared to those without subclinical atrial fibrillation (6.9±0.7 vs. 7.9±1.5, p=0.007).