Diabetes and Heart failure: Can I help Sweet heart?

Joint Institute of Health Research & Cardiovascular Health Research Group Seminar

Chronic heart failure (CHF) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) frequently coexist and is associated with a poor outcome: T2D has consistently been shown to be an independent predictor of increased mortality in patients with either symptomatic heart failure or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.

It is difficult to outline an evidence-based diabetic treatment strategy in these patients because there have been no randomized trials that have adequately explored the risks and benefits of diabetic therapies in this at-risk population.

This situation is not helped by the increased heart failure risk of some T2D therapies (glitazones) and this CHF concern has resulted in the exclusion of CHF patients in most of the large-scale cardiovascular safety trials of T2D therapies mandated by the FDA. Yet, there is still a critical need for agents that will both improve overall glycaemic control and CHF outcomes.

In this seminar, I will explore potential therapeutic options for this unmet need suggested by observational data that needs to be addressed by translational ‘proof of concept’ and outcome clinical trials.

Tea & coffee available from 12.30pm. All staff and students are welcome.