The Landscape of Glucose-Lowering Therapy and Cardiovascular Outcomes: From Barren Land to Metropolis

The choice of glucose-lowering therapy (GLT) has expanded to include 11 different classes in addition to insulin. Since the 2008 Food and Drug Administration guidance for industry and mandate of demonstrating cardiovascular (CV) safety prior to any new drug approval, there were several trials primarily conducted to establish that goal. Some had neutral effects, while there were positively beneficial outcomes with more recent studies. Hospitalization for congestive heart failure has also been a heterogeneous finding among the different classes of GLT, with drug outcomes ranging from risky to beneficial. The current review selectively focuses on the evidence for CV outcomes for each class of GLT and summarizes the existing guidelines with regard to these drugs in heart disease. Moreover, it illustrates the dynamic status in the development of evidence. Finally, the review enables healthcare providers to formulate a plan for hypoglycemic therapy which will optimize CV health, in a patient-centered manner.

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