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Published on: May 16, 2020
[Diabetic myocardiopathy]
Insights
Diabetic myocardiopathy, characterized by cardiac dysfunction in diabetic patients, involves specific heart muscle changes. This study highlights it as a distinct clinical condition requiring targeted management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pathology
Background:
- Diabetic myocardiopathy is a cardiac complication in diabetes mellitus.
- Patients often present with angina and left ventricular dysfunction.
- Diagnosis is confirmed via coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report three cases of diabetic myocardiopathy.
- To describe the pathological characteristics of the disease.
- To establish diabetic myocardiopathy as a distinct clinical entity.
Main Methods:
- Case reporting of three patients with diabetes and cardiac symptoms.
- Coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy for diagnosis.
- Review of pathological findings including microvascular changes and cellular metabolism.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited ST-T changes on electrocardiography, mimicking coronary insufficiency.
- Histopathology revealed intramural microvascular endothelial proliferation, swelling, and glycogen deposition.
- These changes lead to myocardial ischemia, necrosis, fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic myocardiopathy is characterized by specific intramural microvascular and cellular changes.
- These pathological alterations result in myocardial damage and impaired cardiac function.
- The study supports diabetic myocardiopathy as a unique and separate clinical diagnosis.
Abstract:
Three cases of diabetic myocardiopathy having history of diabetes, angina and left ventricular dysfunction of various degrees and confirmed by coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy were reported. Electrocardiography showed significant ST-T changes simulating coronary insufficiency but without definite localization. As to the treatment, nitrate preparations, inotropic agents such as strophanthin K, digoxin etc. were used to relieve the symptoms; insulin was also administered to control the blood glucose level. Diltiazem, a calcium blocker, is also of help in alleviating the symptoms. It is shown in the present study and in the literatures as well that diabetic myocardiopathy is a disease showing intramural microvascular endothelial proliferation and swelling as well as subendothelial accumulation of acid glycogen deposition cells. The transportation of intracellular calcium ions and the cellular metabolism are thus affected, so there are extensive ischemia, focal necrosis and fibrosis in the myocardium with resulting cardiac dysfunction. The authors are, therefore, of the opinion that diabetic myocardiopathy is a specific and separate clinical entity.
Related Concept Videos
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

