[Prolonged Q-T interval on the ECG at rest in type I diabetics with autonomic neuropathy]

86 type I diabetics and 60 healthy persons were examined. The diabetics were divided into two groups: patients with and without autonomous neuropathy. An analysis was made of heart rate, Q-T interval from 12-lead ECG at rest as well as of systolic pressure in each group of the patients. The diabetics with autonomous neuropathy had both systolic pressure and heart rate significantly higher and resting ECG Q-T interval longer than those of diabetics without autonomous neuropathy or than those found in healthy persons. These manifestations are most probably due to relative sympathicotonia in these patients. It results in increased left ventricular work and in a potential increase in arrhythmias which probably worsen the prognosis in diabetics with autonomous neuropathy.