[Cardiovascular safety of DPP-4 inhibitors compared to that of sulfonylureas].

After metformin monotherapy, the choice between a sulfonylurea and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor may be critical in clinical practice. This article compares the cardiovascular safety of these two pharmacological classes based on meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Both approaches show a better cardiovascular safety with DPP-4 inhibitors than with sulfonylureas. However, some heterogeneity exists, most probably explained by differences between the molecules, especially among sulfonylureas as those of last generation (more particularly gliclazide) seem to have a better safety profile. The ongoing head-to-head prospective trial CAROLINA compares the cardiovascular safety of glimepiride and linagliptin in high-risk patients, with results expected in 2019.
Competing Interests: L’auteur n’a déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article. Il déclare avoir reçu des honoraires comme orateur, membre d’un conseil scientifique ou investigateur clinicien de la part des firmes AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, NovoNordisk, Sanofi, et Servier.