[Autonomic cardiac neuropathy in diabetes mellitus].

A total of 90 patients were studied (47 females and 43 males)--with insulin-dependent diabetes--81 subjects and with non-insulin-dependent type--9 subjects. Eighty five of them were aged between 15 and 45 years and 5--over 45. A total of 33 healthy subjects (18 females and 15 males) served as controls. Test for observation of heart rate at test, the changes in P-P intervals after a single deep breathing and 6 deep breathings within I min were used as well as the test with standing up and Valsalva's maneuver. Recording was realized by a 6-channel electrocardiograph, type "Hellige". Statistically significant was established to be the basal heart rate in the patients with diabetes, inhibited sinus arrhythmia in 26.6 to 45.5% of the cases with both tests with deep breathing, pathological Valsalva's ratio in 13.4% of the cases and borderline pathological in 32.9%. The results from the test with standing and calculating the index 30:15 have no statistically significance as compared with the controls. Our studies suggest changed cardiocirculatory responses in the patients with diabetes, associated with affected parasympathetic innervation of the heart.