Liraglutide reduces risk of cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes

Although liraglutide has been shown to be effective in lowering blood glucose levels, its effect on cardiovascular outcomes has not been established. 

In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (online, 13 June 2016)^[1]
, 9,340 patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk were randomly assigned to liraglutide or placebo. 

Over a median follow-up of 3.8 years, significantly fewer patients in the liraglutide group reached the primary composite outcome of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke than in the placebo group (13.0% vs 14.9%). Overall, the risk of cardiovascular death was reduced by 22% among patients who received liraglutide. 

The researchers say the findings show that liraglutide treatment can not just lower blood glucose, it can also help prevent some of the most negative outcomes associated with diabetes.