Non-invasive evaluation of asymptomatic cardiovascular effects in type 2 diabetic patients complicated by autonomic neuropathy

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of some non- invasive tools in assessment of asymptomatic cardiac disorders in 50 maturity onset diabetic patients [non-insulin-dependent], 25 have autonomic neuropathy and the other 25 patients have no autonomic neuropathy and 20 healthy subjected of matched age and sex as a control group. Patients and subjects were subjected to careful history, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations, tests for detecting autonomic neuropathy, resting and exercise electrocardiography and echocardiography. Resting ECG parameters as PR interval, R-wave amplitude, Q-Tc interval showed nonsignificant difference between diabetics without autonomic neuropathy and control group; however, Q-Tc interval was significantly longer in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy when compared with diabetics without autonomic neuropathy and with control group. There was also significant prolongation of Q-Tc interval after exercise in diabetics with autonomic neuropathy when compared with the other groups