Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with both macrovascular and microvascular complications. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a form of myocardial dysfunction that occurs independently of ischemic heart disease, may eventually progress to heart failure. Diagnosing DCM remains challenging due to its asymptomatic presentation initially. This study employed portable noninvasive cardiometer to assess cardiovascular parameters in patients with T2DM and to investigate and to investigate potential cardiac dysfunction and associated risk factors.

This prospective study enrolled T2DM patients between November 2018 and November 2019. Patients with known heart disease, pregnancy, dementia, or incomplete data were excluded. Hemodynamic parameters, including stroke volume (SV), cardiac output, heart rate, and index of contractility (ICON), were measured using portable noninvasive cardiometer. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with ICON.

274 patients met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. T2DM patients generally exhibited a reduced ICON. Patients with albuminuria showed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, as well as lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Notably, they also demonstrated lower SV (52.61 mL vs. 55.84 mL, p=0.0113) and ICON (29.44 vs. 34.78, p<0.0001) along with higher systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Albuminuria and triglyceride were independently associated with reduced ICON in multivariable linear regression.

Albuminuria in patients with T2DM is significantly associated with early indicators of cardiac dysfunction, including reduced SV and ICON, as well as increased SVR. These findings suggest that early therapeutic interventions may be warranted in this high-risk population to prevent progression to heart failure.