Antidiabetic drugs for preventing atrial fibrillation: A new revolution?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are 2 of the great epidemics of our time. DM affects an estimated 8.5% of adults in the United States1 and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including AF.2 AF in turn affects up to an estimated 12.5% of adults older than 65 years in the United States, decreases quality of life, and increases the risks of heart failure, stroke, and death.3,4 In 2015, the EMPA-REG OUTCOME (BI 10773 [Empagliflozin] Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients) randomized controlled trial (RCT), which assessed the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor SGLT-2i, sparked interest in the therapeutic potential of oral antidiabetic agents in reducing cardiovascular outcomes.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research