Potential of glucose-lowering drugs to reduce cardiovascular events

Although a clear relationship exists between glycosylated hemoglobin and cardiovascular (CV) disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in epidemiologic studies, data from prospective studies are less clear. Earlier prospective studies examining intensive glucose lowering suffered from a lack of statistical power to show CV event reduction, as well as a lack of durable glycemic control and relatively poor control of associated CV risk factors. Although recent CV outcome trials comparing intensive glycemic compared with standard glycemic control have been disappointing, CV event rates appear to be declining substantially in T2DM individuals in the setting of aggressive global CV risk factor modification. No single hypoglycemic agent or combination of agents was associated with increased CV events or mortality. A comprehensive strategy of multifactorial intervention including aggressive and durable glycemic blood pressure, and lipid lowering, aspirin usage, and lifestyle modifications is beneficial in reducing macrovascular and microvascular events in T2DM individuals.