Impaired cardiovascular autonomic modulation in diabetic patients during lower body negative pressure

Introduction: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is among the common complications of diabetes mellitus and associated with an increased risk of mortality. Spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability during orthostatic challenge such as lower body negative pressure (LBNP) stimulation has been well established for the assessment of cardiovascular autonomic modulation, which might be compromised in diabetics. Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular modulation during LBNP in diabetic patients. Methods: 13 patients with diabetes mellitus type II (age 58±6 years, duration of diabetes 85±55 months) un…