Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was associated with impaired parasympathetic function in all 13 patients and impaired sympathetic function in most, leading to spontaneous cardiac arrests in 3 patients.
Observational (n=13)
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy leads to impaired parasympathetic and sympathetic function, which may predispose patients to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Heart rate responses to autonomic stimulation and inhibition were studied in 13 diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Parasympathetic function was impaired in all patients and sympathetic function in most. One patient's heart appeared to be totally denervated. The consequences of cardiac denervation include tachycardia, a fixed heart rate, and a possible tendency to cardiac dysrhythmias, which caused spontaneous cardiac arrests in three patients.
Lloyd‐Mostyn et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Diabetic autonomic neuropathy (n=13). Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was evaluated on Heart rate responses to autonomic stimulation and inhibition. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was associated with impaired parasympathetic function in all 13 patients and impaired sympathetic function in most, leading to spontaneous cardiac arrests in 3 patients.