Brachial-to-radial systolic blood pressure amplification in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Brachial-to-radial-systolic blood pressure amplification (Bra-Rad-SBP Amp ) can affect central SBP estimated by radial tonometry. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have vascular irregularities that may alter Bra-Rad-SBP Amp . By comparing T2DM with non-diabetic controls, we aimed to determine the (1) magnitude of Bra-Rad-SBP Amp ; (2) haemodynamic factors related to Bra-Rad-SBP Amp ; and (3) effect of Bra-Rad-SBP Amp on estimated central SBP. Twenty T2DM (64±8 years) and 20 non-diabetic controls (60±8 years; 50% male both) underwent simultaneous cuff deflation and two-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the brachial and radial arteries. The first Korotkoff sound (denoting SBP) was identified from the first inflection point of Doppler flow during cuff deflation. Bra-Rad-SBP Amp was calculated by radial minus brachial SBP. Upper limb and systemic haemodynamics were recorded by tonometry and ultrasound. Radial SBP was higher than brachial SBP for T2DM (136±19 vs 127±17 mm Hg; P