Novel glucose lowering agents are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular and adverse events in type 2 diabetes: A population based analysis

Cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1 receptor agonists vs. DPP-4 inhibitors and basal insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1 RA versus DPP4i and basal insulin in the management of T2DM.

METHODS

Data from 22 studies involving over 200,000 participants were pooled using the inverse variance method and random-effects meta-analysis. The review was reported in accordance with PRISMA.

RESULTS

Compared with DPP4i, treatment with GLP-1 RA was associated with a greater benefit on composite cardiovascular outcomes (HR:0.77, 95% CI:0.69-0.87), myocardial infarction (HR:0.82, 95% CI:0.69-0.97), stroke (HR:0.83, 95% CI: 0.74-0.93), cardiovascular mortality (HR:0.76, 95% CI:0.68-0.85) and all-cause mortality (HR:0.65, 95% CI:0.48-0.90). There was no difference in effect on heart failure (HR:0.97, 95% CI:0.82-1.15). Compared with basal insulin, GLP-1 RA was associated with better effects on composite cardiovascular outcomes (HR:0.62, 95% CI:0.48-0.79), heart failure (HR:0.57, 95% CI:0.35-0.92), myocardial infarction (HR:0.70, 95% CI:0.58-0.85), stroke (HR:0.50, 95% CI:0.40-0.63) and all-cause mortality (HR:0.31, 95% CI:0.20-0.48). Evidence from a small number of studies suggests that GLP-1 RA had better effects on composite and individual renal outcomes, such as eGFR, compared with either DPP4i and basal insulin.

CONCLUSION

Available evidence suggests that treating T2DM with GLP-1 RA can yield better benefits on composite and specific cardiorenal outcomes than with DPP4i and basal insulin.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022335504.

Ventricular-arterial coupling: definition, pathophysiology and therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

The heart and arterial system are equally affected by arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis. There is a constant interaction between the left ventricular (LV) function and the arterial system, termed ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC), which reflects the global cardiovascular efficiency. VAC is traditionally assessed by echocardiography as the ratio of effective arterial elastance (E_a) over end-systolic elastance (E_es) (E_a/E_es). However, the concept of VAC is evolving and new methods have been proposed such as the ratio of pulse wave velocity (PWV) to global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work index.

AREA COVERED

This clinical review presents the hemodynamic background of VAC, its clinical implications and the impact of therapeutic interventions to normalize VAC. The review also summarizes the detrimental effects of cardio-metabolic risk factors on the aorta and LV, and provides an update on arterial load and its impact on LV function. The narrative review is based upon a systemic search of the bibliographic database PubMed for publications on VAC.

EXPERT OPINION

Newer methods such as PWV/GLS-ratio may be a superior marker of VAC than the traditional echocardiographic E_a/E_es in predicting target organ damage and its association with clinical outcomes. Novel anti-diabetic drugs and optimal antihypertensive treatment may normalize VAC in high-risk patients.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Trials of New Antidiabetic Drug Classes

Type 2 diabetes is among the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide and the prevention of associated cardiovascular complications is an important treatment goal. Sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are second-line options after metformin, while cardiovascular outcome trials have been conducted to establish the cardiovascular safety of these antidiabetic drug classes. SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to have the best overall mortality, renal and cardiovascular outcomes. Reduction in hospitalisation for heart failure is particularly consistent. GLP-1 receptor agonists have also showed some benefits, especially in stroke prevention. DPP-4 inhibitors showed neutral effects on cardiovascular outcomes, but may increase the incidence of heart failure. Favourable outcomes observed in trials of SGLT2 inhibitors mean that these should be the preferred second-line option. DPP-4 inhibitors are useful for patients with diabetes at low cardiovascular risk.