Effect of Pioglitazone Compared with Glimepiride on Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have a marked increase in the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), and a substantially worse prognosis after MI compared with patients without diabetes. In recent years, it has become apparent that optimal control of blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level can substantially reduce excess cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes. However, even with optimal control of these potent cardiovascular risk factors, incremental risk for cardiovascular events remains high compared with individuals without diabetes. New approaches are, therefore, needed to further reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes.