Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing pandemic, constituting the 7th cause of death worldwide. Morbidity and mortality rates among patients with T2DM are increasing, while the incidence of cardiovascular disease in this population is estimated to be 14%greater compared to the general population. Aortic stiffness represents now a valuable biomarker of cardiovascular disease and a promising treatment target in various populations, including patients with T2DM; however, most of available studies are crosssectional, and thus, causality cannot be proven. Non-invasive measurement, easy learning and low cost constitute evaluation of aortic stiffness a routine diagnostic test with significant prognostic value. Recently, a new class of antidiabetics, namely sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have attracted scientific interest, due to their beneficial cardiovascular effects. There is limited relevant literature concerning the impact of the SGLT-2 inhibitors on the aortic stiffness, while the results are rather considered as ambiguous. The aim of the present review article is to present past and contemporary knowledge regarding the diagnostic and prognostic value of aortic stiffness in the field of T2DM and related cardiovascular disease, and to discuss the promising role of SGLT-2 inhibitors in aortic stiffness reduction.

Keywords: Aortic stiffness, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, SGLT-2 inhibitors.