Abstract
Saxagliptin, a new oral antihyperglycemic drug in the DPP-4 inhibitor class, had no effect on the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although the drug does not increase cardiovascular risk, it also does not provide cardiovascular benefit.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus doubles the risk of major cardiovascular complications in patients with and in patients without established cardiovascular disease,
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–
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such that the majority of patients with diabetes die of cardiovascular diseases.
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Although improved glycemic control has repeatedly been shown to reduce microvascular diabetic complications,
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uncertainty remains regarding whether any particular glucose-lowering strategy, or specific therapeutic agent, is safe from a cardiovascular standpoint or can actually lower cardiovascular risk. With the possible exception of trials of metformin
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and insulin,
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most reported trials to date evaluating the effects on cardiovascular outcomes of specific glucose-lowering strategies or medications either have . . .