Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with early abnormalities in arterial wall and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. High arterial stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT) are markers of vascular aging and subclinical organ damage.

Aim: To test the possibilities of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), wave reflections, and IMT of the common carotid artery, to identify early vascular alterations in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Materials and methods: Ninety nine patients (63 with MS, and 33 controls), were examined. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Patients aged from 45 to 59 years and had no cardiovascular diseases. SphygmoCor system was used for measurement of carotid-femoral PWV, central aortic systolic pressure (CAP) and wave reflections. IMT was measured by B mode ultrasound.

Results: Patients with MS had significantly increased PWV (9.71±1.92 m/s vs. 7.75±1.10 m/s, p<0.0001) and IMT (0.65±0.12 mm vs. 0.57±0.08 mm, p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in Augmentation Index between patients with and without MS (29.04 ±9.68 % vs. 27.61±6.36 %, p=0.501). CAP was significantly elevated in the MS group (123.74±13.39 mmHg vs. 117.09±12.47 mmHg, p=0.047). Among the patients with MS, there were no statistically significant differences in PWV, IMT between groups with and without diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions: Patients with metabolic syndrome have increased arterial stiffness and intima media thickness, even in the absence of cardiovascular complications and diabetes mellitus. Early detection of vascular abnormalities may help to improve cardiovascular risk prediction in this group.