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The impact of glucose-lowering medications on cardiovascular disease

Angelo Avogaro1, Saula Vigili De Kreutzenberg1, Gian Paolo Fadini1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism
|October 25, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Type 2 diabetes patients often die from cardiovascular disease. This review details glucose-lowering agents, their cardiovascular protective mechanisms, evidence, and side effects to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • Effective metabolic control is crucial for preventing long-term diabetic complications and mitigating other cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Understanding the cardiovascular effects of glucose-lowering agents is vital for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review commonly used glucose-lowering agents in type 2 diabetes.
  • To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular protection offered by these agents.
  • To present evidence-based data on cardiovascular protection, contraindications, and adverse effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current scientific evidence.
  • Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms related to cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Synthesis of clinical trial data and real-world evidence.

Main Results:

  • Detailed description of various glucose-lowering drug classes.
  • Explanation of how different agents impact cardiovascular risk factors and events.
  • Summary of efficacy, safety profiles, and specific contraindications for each agent.

Conclusions:

  • Glucose-lowering agents vary significantly in their cardiovascular benefits and risks.
  • Selection of appropriate agents requires careful consideration of individual patient profiles and evidence-based guidelines.
  • Optimizing glycemic control with cardioprotective agents is essential for reducing cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes.
Keywords:
cardiovascular outcome trialsdiabetes type 2glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonistsmacrovascular complicationsmicrovascular complicationssodium–glucose cotransporters 2

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