[Rosiglitazone: no increase in cardiovascular mortality].

Several meta-analyses imply that rosiglitazone increases the risk of myocardial infarction. However, the studies included were small and not designed to study the effect on cardiovascular risk. The Rosiglitazone Evaluated for Cardiac Outcomes and Regulation of glycaemia in Diabetes study (RECORD) was specifically designed to assess the effect of rosiglitazone on cardiovascular outcomes. After a mean follow-up of 5.5 years, the study showed no increase in cardiovascular hospitalisation or cardiovascular mortality with rosiglitazone and either metformin or sulphonylurea versus metformin/sulphonylurea combination therapy. There was a non-significant increase in myocardial infarction with rosiglitazone, but this did not result in increased mortality rates. Moreover, the Bypass Angioplasty revascularisation Investigation 2 Diabetes study (BARI 2D) showed no increase in myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary disease who received insulin-sensitising therapy including rosiglitazone. Therefore, rosiglitazone can be prescribed as long as the indications are followed and the patients concerned do not have heart failure or an increased risk for this.