Silent myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy

Abstract
• Seventy-three consecutive diabetic adults with symptomatic peripheral neuropathy were evaluated for the presence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction (MI). Twenty-five (34.2%) patients demonstrated cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, and ten (13.7%) patients had electrocardiographic evidence of MI. Of the ten MI identified, seven were asymptomatic (silent) by history. The incidence of silent MI was significantly higher (P<.04) in patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. It is postulated that sudden death in diabetic patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy may be due to silent MI. (Arch Intern Med1986;146:2229-2230)