Diabetes and heart failure in patients with coronary disease: separating markers from mediators

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes: Therapeutic Potential of Dapagliflozin

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are currently used as second-line therapy for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Based on the results from dedicated cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs), current guidelines suggest the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors for patients with T2DM and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heart failure. The cardiovascular safety profile of dapagliflozin, a novel SGLT-2 inhibitor, has been recently explored in large CVOTs. Treatment with dapagliflozin reduced the risk of the composite outcome of cardiovascular mortality or hospitalization for heart failure compared with placebo, both among patients with T2DM who had or were at risk of ASCVD, as well as among patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction. The observed cardiovascular benefit was mainly attributed to the lower rate of hospitalization for heart failure. Additionally, treatment with dapagliflozin was associated with a lower rate of renal adverse events. The safety and efficacy of dapagliflozin on glycemic and non-glycemic endpoints has been also well established in a series of other clinical trials and real-word studies. The aim of the present review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the cardiovascular profile of dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM. Overall, by reducing the rate of hospitalization for heart failure and ameliorating renal adverse events, dapagliflozin is a valuable option for the management of patients with T2DM and multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Mortality Among U.S. Adults With and Without Self-Reported Diabetes, 1988-2015

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality has declined substantially in the U.S. The aims of this study were to examine trends and demographic disparities in mortality due to CVD and CVD subtypes among adults with and without self-reported diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (1985-2014) with mortality follow-up data through the end of 2015 to estimate nationally representative trends and disparities in major CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmia mortality among adults ≥20 years of age by diabetes status.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up period of 11.8 years from 1988 to 2015 of 677,051 adults, there were significant decreases in major CVD death (all P values <0.05) in adults with and without diabetes except adults 20-54 years of age. Among adults with diabetes, 10-year relative changes in mortality were significant for major CVD (-32.7% [95% CI -37.2, -27.9]), IHD (-40.3% [-44.7, -35.6]), and stroke (-29.2% [-40.0, -16.5]), but not heart failure (-0.5% [-20.7, 24.7]), and arrhythmia (-12.0% [-29.4, 77.5]); the absolute decrease of major CVD among adults with diabetes was higher than among adults without diabetes (P < 0.001). Men with diabetes had larger decreases in CVD death than women with diabetes (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Major CVD mortality in adults with diabetes has declined, especially in men. Large reductions were observed for IHD and stroke mortality, although heart failure and arrhythmia deaths did not change. All race and education groups benefitted to a similar degree, but significant gaps remained across groups.

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant heart failure

AIM

We investigated the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF).

METHODS

Data for patients randomized to dapagliflozin 10mg or placebo with a history of HF were pooled from five clinical trials. HbA_1c, weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP; two studies) were examined up to 52weeks using longitudinal repeated-measures models. Composite cardiovascular outcomes, hospitalizations for HF (HHF), and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed.

RESULTS

Patients (mean age 64years, T2DM duration ~14years, HbA_1c 8.2%, ~50% with New York Heart Association Class ≥II) received dapagliflozin (N=171) or placebo (N=149). Dapagliflozin produced clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted reductions in HbA_1c (-0.55%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.80, -0.30), weight (-2.67kg; 95% CI: -3.88, -1.47), and SBP (-2.05mmHg; 95% CI: -5.68, 1.57) over 52weeks. HHF was rare, but numerically lower with dapagliflozin (n=1 [0.6%]) vs placebo (n=7 [4.7%]). Point estimates for hazard ratios of composite cardiovascular outcomes favored dapagliflozin vs placebo, although 95% CIs crossed unity.

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin produced clinically meaningful reductions in HbA_1c, weight, and SBP in patients with T2DM and HF, and was well tolerated.

Treatment strategies for the prevention of heart failure

With the astounding morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure (HF), preventive approaches have been explored. Controlling hypertension to prevent HF is well-established, especially with sodium restriction and thiazide-based antihypertensive therapies showing potential advantages. Control of dyslipidemia with aggressive statin therapy is particularly beneficial in preventing HF in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. The HOPE study also established the benefit of ACE inhibitors in the prevention of HF in high-risk subjects. Meanwhile old data supporting tight glycemic control in preventing HF have not been confirmed, suggesting the complexity of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Avoiding tobacco use and other known cardiotoxins are likely helpful. While there has been substantial development in identifying biomarkers predicting future development of HF, therapeutic interdiction guided by biomarker levels have yet to be established, even though it offers hope in modulating the natural history of the development of HF in at-risk individuals.