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[Insulin therapy improves cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetic patients]

Oliver Schnell1, Sonja Kilinc, Aurel Rambeck

  • 13. Medizinische Abteilung KH München-Schwabing und Institut für Diabetesforschung, München. OliverSchnell@lrz.uni-muenchen.de

Herz
|September 2, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Insulin therapy significantly improved cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetes patients. Cardiac reflex tests are valuable for monitoring autonomic function during diabetes treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Diabetology

Background:

  • Diabetic patients often experience cardiac autonomic dysfunction.
  • Insulin therapy may improve cardiac autonomic innervation in diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of insulin therapy on cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • To assess changes in cardiac reflex test parameters following insulin treatment.

Main Methods:

  • 30 type 2 diabetes patients with HbA1c > 7.5% initiated insulin therapy.
  • Cardiac autonomic function assessed using five cardiac reflex tests and QTc-interval.
  • Follow-up duration was 4 months.

Main Results:

  • Insulin therapy led to a significant decrease in HbA1c from 9.2% to 7.2%.
  • Three cardiac autonomic function parameters (CV of HRV at rest, CV of HRV during deep breathing, 30:15 ratio) showed significant improvement.
  • QTc-interval duration significantly decreased from 417 ms to 398 ms.

Conclusions:

  • Insulin therapy optimizes cardiac autonomic function in type 2 diabetes.
  • Cardiac reflex tests are effective for monitoring autonomic function in diabetic patients undergoing insulin treatment.

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