Adverse cardiovascular effects of sulphonylurea drugs. Clinical significance

Sulphonylureas are widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Since the publication of the University Groups Diabetes Program (UGDP) results the discussion on their possible cardiovascular side effects has been lively and sometimes even passionate. The initial UGDP findings about the adverse effects of tolbutamide on the cardiovascular system have been criticised, particularly for shortcomings in the study design. The results of other epidemiological studies of the sulphonylurea effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality published this far have been contradictory. This is understandable because the factors involved are very complex. Most of these studies have used tolbutamide only, and the findings cannot necessarily be directly extrapolated to other sulphonylureas. Only properly performed prospective studies may provide further information on this issue. High concentrations of several sulphonylureas may have inotropic effects on heart muscle in in vitro animal models, but human studies performed in vivo do not support the view of clinically significant inotropy for sulphonylureas. High concentrations of tolbutamide or glibenclamide (glyburide) may affect the myocardial metabolism in isolated organs, but the possible clinical significance of these findings remains unknown. Some epidemiological and experimental studies have associated oral antidiabetic treatment with the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias or increased digitalis toxicity. Only a few results are available, and there may be differences between the sulphonylureas in this respect. Antiaggregatory properties have been postulated for some sulphonylureas. Gliclazide, in particular, has been studied, but some other compounds of this class have also been effective in short term studies. If confirmed, these effects on haemostasis would be noteworthy. The sulphonylurea effects on serum lipids, especially on HDL-cholesterol, have been discussed widely during the last few years. Decreases in HDL-cholesterol concentrations were suggested to be associated with sulphonylurea therapy. However, these findings were not confirmed in recent cross-sectional and longitudinal studies performed with different sulphonylureas. Chlorpropamide, and to a lesser extent tolbutamide, may cause dilutional hyponatraemia and aggravate existing heart failure. Glibenclamide may increase the clearance of water in the kidney.