The Questions Continue About Thiazolidinediones’ Safety

A new meta-analysis shows an elevated risk for congestive HF but no increase in cardiovascular death rate with either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) not only improve glycemic control as measured by lowered HbA_1C levels but also have an independently positive cardiometabolic profile. However, none of the trials that established these benefits was designed or powered to detect TZDs’ effects on MI, congestive heart failure, or cardiovascular death rates. In May 2007, a meta-analysis of results from 42 trials (including unpublished as well as published data) uncovered evidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes with rosiglitazone (Journal Watch Cardiology May 21 2007). A recently published interim analysis of an ongoing phase III trial of rosiglitazone (Journal Watch Cardiology Jun 6 2007) showed low and comparable rates of MI and death, but double the HF incidence…

Reviewing Author

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

The Questions Continue About Thiazolidinediones’ Safety

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Reviewing Author