Impact of Hemorheology Assessed by the Microchannel Method on Pulsatility Index of the Common Carotid Artery in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is known to be closely associated with the risk of ischemic stroke. Recent clinical studies have reported that a high pulsatility index (PI) of the cerebral or carotid artery, which is estimated by ultrasonography, also reflects a risk of ischemic stroke. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the impact of hemorheology assessed by the microchannel method on the PI of the common carotid artery (CCA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in terms of the primary prevention of ischemic stroke. METHODS: In total, 349 outpatients on treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (131 men and 218 women; mean age ± standard deviation: 65 ± 11 years) with no history of cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke, were enrolled. The whole blood passage time (WBPT) as a marker of hemorheology and the PI of CCA were measured using commercial devices, and their relationships to various clinical parameters were examined. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was observed between WBPT and the PI of CCA (r = 0.49, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that patients with high WBPT (≥70 s) had significantly higher risk (odds ratio: 5.2; 95% confidence interval: 2.4 - 9.2; P < 0.001) of being detected with a high PI of CCA (≥ 2) than those with low WBPT (≤ 52.0 s). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that WBPT was an important determination factor for the PI of CCA, suggesting that an increase in WBPT can potentially predict the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.