Blood pressure, metabolic and autonomic responses to insulin and intralipid® infusion in chagasic patients.

BACKGROUND

Intralipid(®) and heparin infusion results in increased blood pressure and autonomic abnormalities in normal and hypertensive individuals.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate insulin sensitivity and the impact of Intralipid(®) and heparin (ILH) infusion on hemodynamic, metabolic, and autonomic response in patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease.

METHODS

Twelve patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease and 12 healthy volunteers were evaluated.

RESULTS

Baseline blood pressure and heart rate were similar in both groups. Plasma noradrenaline levels were slightly increased in the Chagas' group. After insulin tolerance testing (ITT), a significant decline was noted in glucose in both groups. ILH infusion resulted in increased blood pressure in both groups, but there was no significant change in plasma noradrenaline. The low-frequency component (LF) was similar and similarly increased in both groups. The high-frequency component (HF) was lower in the Chagas' group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease had increased sympathetic activity at baseline and impaired response to insulin. They also had a lower high-frequency component and impaired baroreflex sensitivity at baseline and during Intralipid(®) and heparin infusion.