[Cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes]

Cardiovascular complications due to micro- and microangiopathy are main causes of death of patients with type 2 diabetes. Principal role in development of these complications belong to hyperglycemia which triggers such pathological processes as endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, impairment of hemostasis and blood rheology. Therefore glucose lowering therapy is pathogenetic not only for diabetes but also for its cardiovascular complications. Glucose lowering drugs should be maximally effective and safe for the cardiovascular system. These requirements gliclaside which in addition to pronounced glucose lowering effect also acts on all links of the pathogenesis of micro- and macroangiopathies. While selecting cardiovascular drugs one should take into consideration their effect on carbohydrate metabolism and cardioprotective properties. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are leaders in this field.