Arterial‐Ventricular Coupling Strain Index as an Independent Predictor of 10‐Year ASCVD Risk in Diabetic‐Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The combination of diabetes mellitus and hypertension significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the association between ventricular-arterial coupling and the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (10Y-ASCVDR) in this patient population. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 340 participants, all of whom underwent echocardiography, arterial stiffness, and metabolic index assessments. Arterial-ventricular coupling strain index (AVCSI) was evaluated using the arterial velocity pulse index (AVI) to left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) ratio. The Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China (China-PAR) model was used to predict the 10Y-ASCVDR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression analysis were employed to assess the ability of the AVCSI to predict 10Y-ASCVDR >10%. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the AVCSI was an independent predictor of a high 10Y-ASCVDR (β = -0.009, OR = 0.991, 95% CI: 0.984-0.999, p = 0.019). ROC curves analysis demonstrated a high sensitivity (80.56%) of the AVCSI in diagnosing 10Y-ASCVDR >10%. CONCLUSIONS: The arterial-ventricular coupling strain index is significantly associated with 10Y-ASCVDR in patients with diabetes and hypertension and may offer additional value for early risk stratification, supporting its potential role in guiding preventive strategies.