Provocation of postural hypotension by insulin in diabetic autonomic neuropathy

ABSTRACT

Twenty insulin dependent adult male diabetics with clinical features of autonomic neuropathy were the subject of this study.Blood pressure and pulse rates were measured in the supine position and on standing. Serial readings were taken before and after IV soluble insulin administration [20 - 30 units]. Blood samples for estimation of glucose sodium and potassium were withdrawn before and 15 minutes after insulin injection. In all patients, the systolic and diastolic BP fell immediately after IV insulin especially on standing which potentiated markedly the fall in BP and proved to be statistically significant.This was alsoassociatedwithastatistically significant increase in heart rate