title: Cardiovascular safety and benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
abstract: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) constitute a class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and currently, six different GLP-1RAs are approved. Besides improving glycemic control, the GLP-1RAs have other beneficial effects such as weight loss and a low risk of hypoglycemia. Treatment with the GLP-1RA lixisenatide has been shown to be safe in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome. Furthermore, liraglutide and semaglutide have been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) risk in type 2 diabetes patients with established and/or high risk of CVD. The CV safety of the remaining GLP-1RAs in type 2 diabetes patients with established and/or high risk of CVD remains uncertain, but ongoing CV outcome trials (CVOTs) will elucidate this within a few years. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the existing GLP-1RAs with a particular focus on their clinical effects on CV risk factors and their CV safety and benefits. Expert opinion: Data on the CV risks and benefits associated with GLP-1RA treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of CVD are emerging - and look promising (especially for liraglutide and semaglutide). Data from ongoing CVOTs will be crucial for the positioning of the individual GLP-1RAs in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of CVD. However, the long-term CV safety and the potential of GLP-1RAs to prevent CVD in type 2 diabetes patients with less risk of CVD (e.g. newly diagnosed patients) remain uncertain.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital , University of Copenhagen , Hellerup , Denmark.
authors.forename: Niels B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Dalsgaard
authors.affiliation: a Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital , University of Copenhagen , Hellerup , Denmark.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brønden
authors.affiliation: a Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital , University of Copenhagen , Hellerup , Denmark.|b Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vilsbøll
authors.affiliation: a Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital , University of Copenhagen , Hellerup , Denmark.|b Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.|c The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Filip K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Knop
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069450:Liraglutide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D000097789:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists; D000099194:Semaglutide
chemical_list: D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide; D000097789:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists; D000099194:Semaglutide
keywords: Cardiovascular safety; glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs); type 2 diabetes