The data are inconclusive on heart risks from a class of blood sugar-lowering drugs called thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as pioglitazone (Actos) or rosiglitazone (Avandia), but the medications should be used with close monitoring from healthcare providers according to a joint science advisory from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
The advisory is published online in both Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association and Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee released a report on Saturday following a two-year inquiry into the safety of the diabetes drug rosiglitazone, and the possibility of an increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. Resulting news coverage has highlighted uncertainties about research on TZDs.
"Research is ongoing and more is needed to understand which agents, including TZDs, work best for diabetes control," said Clyde Yancy, M.D., president of the American Heart Association.
The purpose of the advisory is to summarize the currently available data concerning TZDs and cardiovascular risk, and provide practical recommendations to healthcare workers seeking to minimize the burden of cardiovascular disease and other complications in their patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
"Science is constantly evolving and physicians should carefully evaluate all research on this topic," said Alfred A. Bove, M.D., president of the American College of Cardiology. "Patients should feel comfortable bringing any medical concerns to their physicians."
"Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease and stroke and should adopt comprehensive treatment strategies that include diet, activity and a medical regimen that works best to achieve optimal control of blood sugar," Yancy added. "A good relationship with a care provider is the best step for any patient with diabetes to take."
Take-away messages for patients with diabetes: