title: Effects of Liraglutide on Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.
abstract: Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and increased heart rate (HR) have been associated with cardiovascular mortality. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) increase HR, and studies have suggested that they may reduce HRV. We examined the effect of the GLP-1 RA liraglutide on HRV and diurnal variation of HR in overweight patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  
  Liraglutide or placebo was administrated to a backbone therapy of metformin in this double-blind, placebo-controlled 12 + 12-week crossover study. SD of beat-to-beat (NN) intervals (SDNN) was assessed by 24-h Holter monitoring as a measure of HRV. Diurnal HR variation and sympathovagal balance analyzed by root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) in NN intervals and high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) power were assessed.
  
  
  
  Compared with placebo, liraglutide decreased SDNN in 27 subjects (-33.9 ms; P < 0.001, paired analysis); decreased RMSSD (-0.3 log-ms; P = 0.025); and increased the mean HR (8.1 beats/min; P = 0.003), daytime HR (5.7; P = 0.083), and nighttime HR (6.3; P = 0.026). In a multivariable regression analysis, the decrease in SDNN remained significant after adjustment for metabolic and HR changes. Liraglutide reduced HF power (-0.7 log-ms2; P = 0.026) without any change in LF/HF ratio.
  
  
  
  In overweight patients with CAD and newly diagnosed T2D, liraglutide increased HR and reduced HRV despite significant weight loss and improvement in metabolic parameters. The increase in nightly HR in conjunction with a decrease in parameters of parasympathetic activity suggests that liraglutide may affect sympathovagal balance.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark preman.kumarathurai@dadlnet.dk.
authors: Preman
authors: 0000-0002-2463-5110
authors: P
authors: Kumarathurai
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital of Amager, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Anholm
authors: Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Bjørn S
authors: BS
authors: Larsen
authors: Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Rasmus Huan
authors: RH
authors: Olsen
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Sten
authors: S
authors: Madsbad
authors: Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Ole
authors: O
authors: Kristiansen
authors: Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Olav W
authors: OW
authors: Nielsen
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital of Amager, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Clinical Research Center, Copenhagen University Hospital of Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Steen B
authors: SB
authors: Haugaard
authors: Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Sajadieh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000069450:Liraglutide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide; D008687:Metformin