Diabetic cardiomyopathy: where we are and where we are going

Abstract

The global burden of diabetes mellitus and its related complications are currently increasing. Diabetes mellitus affects the heart through various mechanisms including microvascular impairment, metabolic disturbance, subcellular component abnormalities, cardiac autonomic dysfunction, and a maladaptive immune response. Eventually, diabetes mellitus can cause functional and structural changes in the myocardium without coronary artery disease, a disorder known as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). There are many diagnostic tools and management options for DCM, although it is difficult to detect its development and effectively prevent its progression. In this review, we summarize the current research regarding the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of DCM. Moreover, we discuss emerging diagnostic evaluation methods and treatment strategies for DCM, which may help our understanding of its underlying mechanisms and facilitate the identification of possible new therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic cardiomyopathies; Heart failure.

Figure 1.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy. RAAS, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; AGE, advanced glycation end product; FA, fatty acid; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β.