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Numerous prospective cohort studies have indicated that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a three- to fourfold increase in risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) (1-3). The increase in risk is particularly evident in both younger age groups and women. Females with type 2 DM appear to lose a great deal of the protection that characterizes nondiabetic females. Furthermore, patients with DM have a 50% greater in-hospital mortality, and a twofold increased rate of death within 2 years of surviving a myocardial infarction (MI). Overall, CAD is the leading cause of death in individuals with DM who are over the age of 35 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]