Cardiovascular safety of modern insulins: is there reason for optimism?

• Yuriy Sh. Khalimov
• Vladimir V. Salukhov

Abstract

Macrovascular complications of diabetes (the most common cause of death in the majority of patients) are one of the great challenges for modern diabetology. Insulin can potentially exert positive and negative biological effects on the cardiovascular system. ORIGIN (Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention) research dedicated to assessment the impact of modern insulin analogues on cardiovascular risk in patients with prediabetes or diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as the potential for cardiovascular events prevention and effective correction with insulin early administration. The study found that earlier use of insulin glargine in patients with high cardiovascular risk achieving optimal glycaemic control persists for more than 6 years. Long-term maintenance of carbohydrate metabolism compensation in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 using insulin glargine does not increase the risk of cardiovascular complications, is not associated with increased risk of total mortality and is associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia.

Keywords:diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular safety, insulin therapy, insulin glargine, hyperglycemia

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