Diabetic cardiomyopathy

Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2008, Vol 25, Issue 4

Abstract

Congestive heart failure (CHF) represents a common cardiovascular complication of diabetes mellitus associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although it is usually due to the development of ischemic or hypertensive heart disease, accumulating evidence supports the notion that diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) exists as a distinct clinical entity, separate from other forms of cardiomyopathy, and that it contributes considerably to the adverse prognosis of diabetic patients. The pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the development of DC include the abnormal utilization of the metabolic substrate by the diabetic heart, insulin resistance, small vessel disease of the heart and autonomic cardiac neuropathy. The end result is myocardial cell injury, reactive hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis and gradual development of DC. The myocardium in DC is vulnerable to ischemic insults as well as to the effects of coexistent hypertension, as the progressive activation of neurohumoral pathways leads to further diminution of cardiac function and earlier development of CHF. Of paramount importance in the management of DC is its recognition in the very early stages, by the use of echocardiography, and especially by novel echocardiographic techniques. The optimal primary and secondary management of the syndrome of DC is based on knowledge and adoption of the recent therapeutic guidelines, with collaboration between general practitioners, diabeticians and cardiologists with sensitivity in the recognition, diagnosis and management of this special clinical entity.

Authors and Affiliations

D. MYTAS, I. KYRIAZIS

Keywords

Related Articles

Delirium in the intensive care unit patient: A review of the current approaches to diagnosis and treatment

Delirium is an organic psychosyndrome which commonly develops in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Older patients suffer more often from the syndrome. It is recognized that delirium has a great impact on the dis...

A case of typhoid fever with no travel history

The case is reported of typhoid fever in a healthy 25-year-old female without a history of travel outside the USA or contact with any sick person. This case highlights the importance of including enteric fever in the dif...

Water disinfection by-products and pregnancy outco

Exposure to water disinfection by-products during pregnancy through ingestion, inhalation and dermal absorption has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE Studies in the current literature were re...

New aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of Brucella infection

Brucellosis is a zoonosis which is transmitted to humans, almost always, by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Brucella melitensis continues to be the major cause of human brucellosis wor...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP144541
  • DOI -
  • Views 59
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

D. MYTAS, I. KYRIAZIS (2008). Diabetic cardiomyopathy . Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής, 25(4), 432-431. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-144541