Diabetes mellitus-associated diffuse autonomic dysfunction causing debilitating hypotension manifested after rapid weight loss in a morbidly obese patient: case report and review of the literature

Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2005 Jul-Aug;1(4):443-6. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2005.03.209. Epub 2005 Jun 17.

Abstract

The association between weight and blood pressure is well established, especially the paradigm of obesity-related hypertension. The relationship between diffuse autonomic dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension in patients with long-term diabetes mellitus is also well known. We report on a 57-year-old morbidly obese male with a long medical history of hypertension, myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism. After a loss of 147 pounds (representing a percent excess weight loss of 76%) within 6 months after gastric bypass surgery, the patient developed worsening orthostatic hypotension and near-syncopal episodes requiring medication. The subsequent diagnosis and treatment, as well as a literature review, are presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Gastric Bypass / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / etiology*
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery*
  • Weight Loss