[Diabetic cardiomyopathy]

The literature on the new nosologic unit diabetic cardiomyopathy is reviewed and the justification of the assigned term is discussed. Current knowledge on the epidemiology and pathological findings is presented. Particular attention is paid to noninvasive methods, especially echocardiography in patients with type I diabetes mellitus. Subclinical changes in diabetes suggesting deranged left ventricular function in systole and diastole are demonstrated.