Glucose tolerance and sudden death after myocardial infarction.
In connection with a rehabilitation study of myocardial infarction, glucose tolerance tests were performed at the end of the hospital stay in patients recovering from the infarction. At the same time serum cholesterol and triglyceride values were determined. The degree of intimal and medial calcification in the peripheral arteries was estimated on X-ray films. During a 6-year follow-up period 22 patients died suddenly (less than 1 hour) and 28 patients less suddenly. The results of these groups were compared with results of a random sample of 23 surviving patients. Mean 1 and 2-hour glucose values were lower in the sudden death group than in patients who survived (p values less than 0.03 and less than 0.02 respectively). Also the body weight was lower in the sudden death group (p less than 0.05). Differences in the other variables measured were not statistically significant. The mechanisms of the possible protective role of impaired glucose tolerance regarding sudden death are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002114:Calcinosis; D003645:Death, Sudden; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality*; D011379:Prognosis
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids