The pulse wave velocity as an early indicator of atherosclerosis in diabetic subjects

The arterial pulse wave velocity was measured in 87 healthy individuals and in 52 diabetic patients who did not have clinical evidence of atherosclerosis or hypertension. A significant increase in the pulse wave velocity was found in the diabetic subjects. This increase was not correlated with the duration of their illness as judged from clinical history. It is very likely that the high values of pulse wave velocity were indicative of an incipient process of diffuse atherosclerosis and that the measurement of the pulse wave velocity brought this into evidence earlier than the classic signs and symptoms. Serial measurements of the pulse wave velocity in diabetic subjects may permit early detection of atherosclerosis in these patients.