Defective Innervation of Heart in Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy

Abstract

Heart rate responses to autonomic stimulation and inhibition were studied in 13 diabetics with 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. © 1975, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.