Mechanisms of cardiovascular protection of non-insulin antidiabetic medications

Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus die most frequently from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic control is a cornerstone of both primary and secondary prevention of CVD: its important is two-fold since the normalization of HbA1c not only counteracts the onset, and the progression of microvascular complication, but has also important and positive role in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). However, among the available glucose-lowering medications, some exert a direct CV protection independently from their ability to normalize metabolic control. In this review I will highlight the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the claimed cardiovascular protection of the different glucose-lowering drugs, the available evidence-based data for their protection, the potential adverse effects, and the different phenotypes of patients eligible for a specific treatment. The knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms for CV protection of each glucose-lowering medication, and the constraints of their use supports the health care professionals to individualize the normalization of metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.