Research project

A retrospective analysis investigating the correlation between patients with diastolic dysfunction and diabetes mellitus within a local population

Programme
STP
Specialty
Cardiac Science
Author
Jennifer Pilling
Training location
The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust

Approximately 4.5 million people have diagnosed or suspected T2DM in the UK, which accounts for approximately 6% of the population, a figure that is similar in Merseyside, at 5.8%. Heart failure is a common cardiovascular complication of diabetes with these patients having a 126% increased risk of developing it. Diastolic function of the heart is a measure of left ventricle (LV) relaxation and filling. A correlation has been shown between impaired LV relaxation and metabolic syndrome, which includes an impaired fasting glucose, and can be a pre-cursor for T2DM. This study will specifically look at diastolic function, the relationship with T2DM and related metabolic alterations, as there are a number of mechanisms that may be present in the early stages of LV dysfunction. It is expected that the presence of diastolic dysfunction and T2DM show a positive correlation, but the extent of this is within Merseyside is uncertain. Approximately 50% of patients with heart failure have a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from diastolic dysfunction abnormalities and yet questions remain over the effectiveness of recommended treatments for this patient group. (Lay summary as abstract not yet completed)

Last updated on 2nd October 2020