Doctors say they have shown for the first time that a diabetes drug can prevent the progression of coronary heart disease.
The Cleveland Clinic-led study involved 543 patients with Type 2 diabetes and compared two drugs, Actos and Amaryl: Actos is part of a newer class of drugs that reduce insulin resistance, while Amaryl is an older drug that increases insulin production.
Using intravascular ultrasound, researchers found that after 18 months, Actos was significantly better at reducing progression of plaque buildup in arteries of the heart.
"Seventy-five percent of diabetics will die of a cardiovascular-related cause," study leader Dr. Steven Nissen, clinic chief of cardiovascular medicine, said Monday. "If you can find a therapy that reduces progression of heart disease and atherosclerosis, that will potentially have a very big impact."
The study is published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.
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