Aim: To evaluate parameters of local and systemic arterial stiffness in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and moderately marked carotid atherosclerosis (CA) with/without diabetes.

Materials and methods: Seventy-one patients (53 female) with AH (Grade 1–2) and CA (stenosis 20–55%) were enrolled in the study. Patients with diabetes were included in Group 1 (n=29), and patients without diabetes - in Group 2 (n=42). Mean age in two groups was 67.4±6.5 vs. 66.4±6.9 (p=0.9); stenosis intensity - 38.3±9.3% vs. 33.9±8.0% (p=0.03). Both groups were comparable in sex ratio, incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, duration of AH and diabetes. Local stiffness of carotid arteries was evaluated by means of eTRACKING technology (ALOKA α7). Arterial stiffness parameter "β-index”, elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC) and local pulse wave velocity (PWVlocal) were measured. Systemic arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV) was evaluated using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor).

Results: eTRACKING results for distal segment of the left common carotid artery (CCA) in Groups 1 and 2 were respectively: β-index 11.3±4.5 vs. 9.5±2.7 (p=0.04); 175.2±71.3 vs. 137.9±40.8 (p=0.0007). Local stiffness parameters for the distal segment of the right CCA in groups were respectively: β-index 10.3±3.8 vs. 8.8±2.9 (p=0.1); Ep 158.6±61 vs. 135.3±39.9 (p=0.09). There were no significant differences of AC and PWVlocal values between groups (p>0.05). PWV in Group 1 was significantly higher than in Group 2 (15.3±3.0 vs.13.0±2.8, p=0.0005).

Conclusions: Local and systemic arterial stiffness parameters in patients with AH and moderately marked carotid atherosclerosis were significantly higher in cases of diabetes than in its absence.