Interv Akut Kardiol. 2020;19(2):97-100 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2020.025

Importance of modern antidiabetic drugs for the cardiologist and diabetologist

Alena Šmahelová

III. interní gerontometabolická klinika FN a LF UK Hradec Králové

SGLT2 inhibitors - gliflozins - are a novel group of antidiabetic drugs whose action is independent of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. In addition to affecting hyperglycaemia without a risk of hypoglycaemia, they contribute to reducing weight and hypertension. Large randomized clinical trials of these antidiabetic drugs have not only confirmed their cardiorenal safety, but also have shown other major benefits. In type 2 diabetic patients who more often present with cardiorenal syndrome, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, renal involvement, and increased risk of heart failure (also seen in non-diabetics), these drugs have a protective effect. Currently, their importance is appreciated not only in secondary, but also in primary prevention of cardiorenal involvement, and, along with GLP-1 analogues, they are recommended as drugs suitable for intensification of antidiabetic therapy second only to metformin and as the only possible oral antidiabetic agent for intensive insulin therapy of type 1 diabetes.

Keywords: type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, cardiorenal syndrome, cardiovascular complications, chronic kidney disease, prevention, gliflozins.

Published: June 2, 2020  Show citation