Silent myocardial infarction in women with type II diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria

Original Research

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Authors: Elmir Omerovic, Gerhard Brohall, Markus Müller, Truls Råmunddal, Göran Matejka, et al

Published Date September 2008 Volume 2008:4(4) Pages 705 - 711

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S2826

Elmir Omerovic, Gerhard Brohall, Markus Müller, Truls Råmunddal, Göran Matejka, Finn Waagstein, Björn Fagerberg

The Wallenburg Laboratory at Sahlgrenska Academy, Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg University, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Cardiology and Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether asymptomatic women with diabetes mellitus (DM) without previous history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and normal electrocardiogram (ECG) have suffered silent myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: The study population consisted of 64-years old women with DM and albuminuria (n = 15) and aged- and body mass index-matched controls (n = 16). The patients were selected after screening of 240 women with previously known or unknown DM. The individuals with previous history of IHD and ECG suggesting the presence of IHD were excluded. All subjects were investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results: MRI investigation has revealed the presence of subendocardial MI in the two DM women (13%). No MI was detected in the control group. MR coronary angiography detected the presence of significant stenosis in the proximal segment of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in one DM woman. This patient developed unstable angina 1 week after the MRI investigation. The conventional angiography has confirmed the presence of significant stenosis in LAD demanding invasive revascularization by percutaneous coronary angioplasty. No difference was found in indices of left ventricular (LV) systolic function while diastolic function was disturbed in the DM group. There was a tendency for increased LV mass in the DM group. No difference was found in the LV volumes.

Conclusion: Clinically significant proportion of the women with DM and albuminuria without previous history of IHD have had silent MI. MRI screening of these high risk female patient is valuable diagnostic tool which may increase diagnostic accuracy and improve prognosis in DM patients with IHD.

Keywords: asymptomatic, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, silent myocardial infarction

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