DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a disease with multi-system complications. Congestive heart failure is the end result of cardiovascular complications, and is heralded by the presence of diabetic cardiomyopathy, indicated by diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, which can be easily assessed with echocardiography.

Objectives: To note prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic, normotensive patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A study was carried out on 50 diabetics and compared with 50 age and sex matched controls. In all the patients, detailed history, physical examination and specific investigations (conventional Doppler echocardiography at rest) were done to find out the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction.

Results: The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, defined by echocardiographic criteria was 66%. E/A, DT and peak A velocity were sensitive indices of diastolic LV dysfunction. Left ventricular hypertrophy, as indicated by an increased LV mass, was an early marker of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion: Echocardiography is a sensitive method to investigate for diastolic dysfunction. There is a high prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in diabetes, which is an early marker of diabetic cardiomyopathy.