What is known and objective

New hypoglycaemic agents consist of dipeptidyl peptidase four inhibitors (DPP4is), glucagon-like peptide one receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitors (SGLT2is). We aimed to define the association between each category of these new hypoglycaemic drugs and various cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

Large randomized trials comparing DPP4is, GLP1RAs or SGLT2is with placebo were included. Outcomes of interest were 95 kinds of cardiovascular diseases. Meta-analysis was conducted to generate pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results and discussion

Twenty-one large randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, SGLT2is were associated with the lower risks of hypertension (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.93), atrial fibrillation (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.67–0.91), bradycardia (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.89) and heart failure (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68–0.80); GLP1RAs were associated with the lower risk of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.97) and with the higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32–3.4), while DPP4is were associated with the lower risk of peripheral ischaemia (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37–0.89).

What is new and conclusions

Our meta-analysis revealed that SGLT2is were associated with the lower risks of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia and heart failure; GLP1RAs were associated with the lower risk of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and with the higher risk of deep vein thrombosis, while DPP4is were associated with the lower risk of peripheral ischaemia. These findings propose that each category of these new hypoglycaemic agents should be avoided or preferred in patients at high risks of specific cardiovascular diseases.