Macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus

Abstract:

Macrovascular complications are the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. They have a significant impact on both quality of life and cost of treatment. Atherosclerotic lesions in patients with diabetes mellitus are more severe, diffuse, usually located on small blood vessels and very often not amenable to dilatation. Due to autonomic neuropathy and silent ischaemia, the clinical picture of cardiovascular disease is altered and atypical, which frequently delays the diagnosis and adequate treatment. A multidisciplinary approach implementing basic treatment methods and simultaneously affecting multiple risk factors can prevent the development of diabetes and its chronic complications (primary prevention). Manifest macrovascular complications should be treated according to the most recent guidelines either conservatively or invasively (secondary prevention).

Key words:
cerebrovascular disorders; coronary disease; diabetes mellitus; diabetic neuropathies; peripheral vascular diseases