Insulin Secretion in Heart Failure

Abstract

Insulin secretion tests were carried out before and after treatment in patients with severe congestive heart failure. Before treatment the plasma insulin level and the insulin secretion response to intravenous tolbutamide were significantly reduced in all patients. In patients who made a good clinical recovery the plasma insulin level and the insulin secretion response were significantly improved. Patients who had a poor response to medical treatment showed little improvement in their insulin secretion test. This suppression of insulin secretion is probably due to the reduced blood flow to the pancreas together with a high level of circulating catecholamines.