Title:Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Clinical and Metabolic Approach
Volume: 19
Issue: 5
Author(s): Dragan B. Djordjevic*, Goran Koracevic, Aleksandar D. Djordjevic and Dragan B. Lovic*
Affiliation:
- Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Bulevar Dr. Zoran Djindjic 8, 18000 Nis,Serbia
- Clinic for Internal Diseases Intermedica, Singidunum University Nis, Jovana Ristica 20/III-2, 1800 Nis,United States
Keywords:
Cardiomyopathy, diabetes, mitochondria, metabolism, treatment, heart failure.
Abstract:
Background: Having in mind that diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are some of the
greatest health challenges of the modern era, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is becoming more
and more recognized in clinical practice.
Main Text: Initially, DM is asymptomatic, but it may progress to diastolic and then systolic left
ventricular dysfunction, which results in congestive heart failure. A basic feature of this DM complication
is the absence of hemodynamically significant stenosis of the coronary blood vessels.
Clinical manifestations are the result of several metabolic disorders that are present during DM progression.
The complexity of metabolic processes, along with numerous regulatory mechanisms, has
been the subject of research that aims at discovering new diagnostic (e.g. myocardial strain with
echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance) and treatment options. Adequate glycaemic control
is not sufficient to prevent or reduce the progression of DCM. Contemporary hypoglycemic
medications, such as sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors, significantly reduce the frequency
of cardiovascular complications in patients with DM. Several studies have shown that, unlike
the above-stated medications, thiazolidinediones and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are associated
with deterioration of heart failure.
Conclusion: Imaging procedures, especially myocardial strain with echocardiography and cardiac
magnetic resonance, are useful to identify the early signs of DCM. Research and studies regarding
new treatment options are still “in progress”.
