title: Novel insight into the dangerous connection between diabetes and heart failure.
abstract: Heart failure (HF) affects approximately 1-2 % of the adult population. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most frequent comorbidities in HF, portending a worse prognosis. DM is associated with an increased risk of artery disease, and consequently of post-ischemic HF, but it may also alter directly the myocardial structure and function. Insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy have been provided by both experimental and clinical investigations. In recent years, it has emerged that the fibrotic process is a result of the convergence of multiple neurohormonal alterations in diabetic cardiomyopathy at the basis of disease progression and phenotype determination: HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction. Therapies for HF and DM should demonstrate an improved prognosis and have a neutral effect on glucose homeostasis and the risk of HF development.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma and AOU of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Cardiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Spigoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Cardiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gorga
authors.affiliation: , Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy. alessandra.deicas@unipr.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dei Cas
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic cardiomyopathy; Fibrosis; Heart failure; Therapy