Cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus - Current management guidelines

Cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent and detrimental complication of diabetes mellitus. The incidence of cardiovascular mortality in diabetic subjects without a clinical history of previous cardiac events is as high as the incidence in nondiabetic subjects with a history of myocardial infarction. This inordinate increase in the risk of coronary events in diabetic patients is attributed to multiple factors, including glycation and oxidation of proteins and increased prevalence of classic risk factors of coronary disease, such as hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Despite advances in the management of cardiovascular disease, a large proportion of diabetic subjects continue to have uncontrolled hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In addition, certain medical interventions with established efficacy in the general population do not appear to be appropriate for diabetic subjects. Recently published clinical trials of managing coronary risk factors indicate that more stringent goals of therapy should be set for diabetic patients. In this communication, some of these landmark studies are reviewed and some practical guidelines of management are suggested.