Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity as a Risk Marker for Development of Complications in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background The value of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) as risk factor for development of complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus remains to be determined. We investigated associations between cfPWV and renal outcomes, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods and Results cfPWV was measured with SphygmoCor in 633 people with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Median (interquartile range) follow-up was 6.2 (5.8-6.7) years. End points included progression in albuminuria group, decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30%, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular event, mortality, and a composite renal end point. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated per 1-SD increase in cfPWV. Adjustments included age, sex, hemoglobin A1c, mean arterial pressure, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, urine albumin excretion rate, and eGFR. The cohort included 45% women, mean (SD) age was 54 (13) years, mean (SD) eGFR was 83.2 (27.9) mL/min per 1.73 m2, and mean (SD) cfPWV was 10.4 (3.3) m/s. Median (interquartile range) albumin excretion rate was 17 (17-63) mg/24 h. After adjustment, higher cfPWV was associated with increased hazard of progression in albuminuria (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.10-2.32); decline in eGFR ≥30% (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06-1.79); cardiovascular event (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.70); mortality (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00-1.85); and the composite renal end point (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.04-1.63), but not with end-stage kidney disease (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.62-2.26). Higher cfPWV was associated with steeper yearly increase in albumin excretion and steeper yearly decline in eGFR after adjustment (P=0.002 and P=0.01, respectively). Conclusions cfPWV was associated with increased hazard of renal outcomes, cardiovascular event, and mortality. cfPWV may be suited for risk stratification in type 1 diabetes mellitus.