Vol 17, No 2 (2010)
Review Article
Submitted: 2013-01-14
Published online: 2010-03-29
Diabetes mellitus and sudden cardiac death: What are the data?
Daniel W. Bergner, Jeffrey J. Goldberger
DOI: 10.5603/cj.21390
·
Cardiol J 2010;17(2):117-129.
Vol 17, No 2 (2010)
Review articles
Submitted: 2013-01-14
Published online: 2010-03-29
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus has long been linked to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. However,
the magnitude of this association, and the mechanism accounting for this phenomenon, have
not been precisely defined. In this review, we evaluate the epidemiological data pertaining to
the association between diabetes mellitus and sudden cardiac death and discuss various
proposed mechanisms that may account for this relationship. Potential factors contributing to
the increased risk of sudden cardiac death observed in patients with diabetes mellitus include
silent myocardial ischemia, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, abnormal cardiac
repolarization, hypoglycemia, a hypercoaguable state secondary to diabetes mellitus, diabetic
cardiomyopathy, and impaired respiratory response to hypoxia and hypercapnea.
We conclude that diabetes mellitus does appear to be associated with an increased risk of
sudden cardiac death. Although this increased risk is relatively modest, given the large number
of diabetic patients worldwide, the absolute number of sudden cardiac deaths attributable to
diabetes mellitus remains significant. Little evidence exists to support any specific mechanism(s)
accounting for this association. Further investigation into the pathophysiology of sudden cardiac
death in diabetes mellitus may yield improved risk stratification tools as well as identify
novel therapeutic targets.
(Cardiol J 2010; 17, 2: 117-129)
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus has long been linked to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. However,
the magnitude of this association, and the mechanism accounting for this phenomenon, have
not been precisely defined. In this review, we evaluate the epidemiological data pertaining to
the association between diabetes mellitus and sudden cardiac death and discuss various
proposed mechanisms that may account for this relationship. Potential factors contributing to
the increased risk of sudden cardiac death observed in patients with diabetes mellitus include
silent myocardial ischemia, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, abnormal cardiac
repolarization, hypoglycemia, a hypercoaguable state secondary to diabetes mellitus, diabetic
cardiomyopathy, and impaired respiratory response to hypoxia and hypercapnea.
We conclude that diabetes mellitus does appear to be associated with an increased risk of
sudden cardiac death. Although this increased risk is relatively modest, given the large number
of diabetic patients worldwide, the absolute number of sudden cardiac deaths attributable to
diabetes mellitus remains significant. Little evidence exists to support any specific mechanism(s)
accounting for this association. Further investigation into the pathophysiology of sudden cardiac
death in diabetes mellitus may yield improved risk stratification tools as well as identify
novel therapeutic targets.
(Cardiol J 2010; 17, 2: 117-129)
Keywords
diabetes mellitus; sudden cardiac death; autonomic
Title
Diabetes mellitus and sudden cardiac death: What are the data?
Journal
Cardiology Journal
Issue
Vol 17, No 2 (2010)
Article type
Review Article
Pages
117-129
Published online
2010-03-29
Page views
981
Article views/downloads
2730
DOI
10.5603/cj.21390
Bibliographic record
Cardiol J 2010;17(2):117-129.
Keywords
diabetes mellitus
sudden cardiac death
autonomic
Authors
Daniel W. Bergner
Jeffrey J. Goldberger
About this article