Carbohydrate metabolism and plasma levels of insulin and glucagon in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease

In non-obese, non-diabetic patients suffering acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, previous myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease, the plasma levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were determined in basal condition and during an intravenous glucose tolerance test. In the four groups there was a high frequency of glucose intolerance. Basal hyperinsulinism was present in all groups; in groups; in those which maintained normal glucose tolerance there was a high B-cell response to the sugar. Basal hyperglucagonemia was found in the early stage of acute ischemic heart disease, in patients with previous myocardial infarction and in those with peripheral vascular disease. The elevated plasma glucagon levels may play a role in the complex disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism present in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease.