Comparison of diabetic and non-diabetic patients referred for coronary angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether diabetic patients differ from non-diabetic patients when referred for coronary angiography regarding previous history, indication for and findings at coronary angiography, use of medication, exercise test results and mortality.


METHODS
Data were prospectively collected on patients referred for consideration of coronary revascularization to seven of the eight public Swedish heart centers that performed approximately 92% of all bypass operations in Sweden in 1994.


RESULTS
2762 patients were included of whom 406 (15%) had a history of diabetes mellitus. There was no difference in age or sex in the two groups. Chronic stable angina was the most common indication (73% in both groups) and only 3% were admitted due to silent ischemia. Diabetic patients had more severe symptoms (Canadian Cardiovascular Society III-IV) than non-diabetic patients (66% vs. 58%, p<0.01). They more frequently used ACE-inhibitors (33% vs. 19%, p<0.0001) and calcium channel blockers (47% vs. 40%, p<0.01) and more often had a diagnosis of arterial hypertension than non-diabetic patients (50% vs. 33%, p<0.0001). Diabetic patients more often had depressed myocardial function (EF<35%); 12% and 8%, respectively (p<0.01), and more extensive coronary artery disease (left main/3-VD; 48% vs. 37%, p<0.001). The mortality during the subsequent 21 months was 7.9% among diabetic patients and 3.6% among non-diabetic patients (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients being referred for coronary angiography in Sweden, 15% were patients with a history of diabetes. They differed from patients without such a history by more often having severe symptoms and a higher prevalence of left main/triple vessel disease. Coronary angiography may thus be underused in diabetic patients with chest pain.
Lindvall
B
B
Department of Cardiology, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Brorsson
B
B
Herlitz
J
J
Albertsson
P
P
Werkö
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies