糖尿病性心血管疾病的基本机制是动脉粥样硬化加速。动脉粥样硬化的临床表现取决于所涉及的血管床。当动脉粥样硬化涉及冠状动脉时,其表现为心绞痛和急性冠脉综合征。当累及大脑或小脑动脉时,会表现为短暂性脑缺血发作 (Transient ischaemic attack, TIA) 和卒中。外周循环受累的表现为间歇性跛行或坏疽。
动脉粥样硬化过程开始于内皮细胞层受损。[6]Eckel RH, Wassef M, Chait A, et al. Prevention Conference VI: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Writing Group II: pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes. Circulation. 2002;105:e138-e143.http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/105/18/e138.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11994264?tool=bestpractice.com在生理条件下,血管内皮细胞层将细胞和循环因子从动脉内膜和介质中分离,作为抗凝血剂和纤维蛋白溶解表面。[6]Eckel RH, Wassef M, Chait A, et al. Prevention Conference VI: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Writing Group II: pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes. Circulation. 2002;105:e138-e143.http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/105/18/e138.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11994264?tool=bestpractice.com循环因子(如血糖、游离脂肪酸和糖基化终产物)会损伤内皮细胞层,导致循环单核细胞和巨噬细胞粘附并渗入动脉内膜。内皮细胞和巨噬细胞可产生细胞因子和生长因子,使得平滑肌迁移和增殖,导致粥样硬化斑块的形成。[6]Eckel RH, Wassef M, Chait A, et al. Prevention Conference VI: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Writing Group II: pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes. Circulation. 2002;105:e138-e143.http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/105/18/e138.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11994264?tool=bestpractice.com持续接触循环因子可导致细胞死亡,而且大脂质核心、坏死组织、巨噬细胞和薄纤维帽的组合会诱发斑块破裂。[6]Eckel RH, Wassef M, Chait A, et al. Prevention Conference VI: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Writing Group II: pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes. Circulation. 2002;105:e138-e143.http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/105/18/e138.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11994264?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Rydén L, Grant PJ, Anker SD, et al. ESC Guidelines on diabetes, pre-diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases developed in collaboration with the EASD. Eur Heart J. 2013;34:3035-3087.http://www.escardio.org/Guidelines-&-Education/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Diabetes-Pre-Diabetes-and-Cardiovascular-Diseases-developed-with-the-EASDhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23996285?tool=bestpractice.com斑块破裂和血栓形成可导致心血管疾病相关的临床事件,包括急性冠脉综合征和脑卒中。动脉粥样硬化的形成通常是一个缓慢的过程,但在糖尿病患者中更为迅速和激进,可在较小的年龄产生临床病症。