Cardiovascular function in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a study using noninvasive methods

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Neurology

Background:

• Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
• Autonomic dysfunction is a known complication of diabetes.
• The specific cardiac manifestations in IDDM require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cardiovascular function and autonomic nervous system disturbances in IDDM patients.
• To determine the prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction in this population.
• To characterize the entity of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Main Methods:

• Noninvasive cardiovascular assessments were performed.
• Autonomic nervous system function was evaluated.
• Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function were determined in 38 IDDM patients.

Main Results:

• Fifty-six percent of IDDM patients exhibited autonomic neuropathy.
• Twelve percent of patients had left ventricular diastolic dysfunction; none had systolic dysfunction.
• Diabetic cardiomyopathy was identified as a distinct cardiac entity in IDDM.

Conclusions:

• Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in IDDM patients was linked to autonomic neuropathy.
• No correlation was found between left ventricular dysfunction and microvascular complications.
• Diabetic cardiomyopathy represents a unique heart condition in IDDM patients.