News & Research
Treating Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease
Findings of the international Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial did not demonstrate a significant advantage of revascularization over medical therapy for diabetes patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
The 2,368 participants in the study all had both type 2 diabetes and CAD, and they were randomized to receive either revascularization or medical therapy alone for CAD, and either insulin provision or insulin sensitization.
In an average follow-up of 5.3 years, the treatment groups demonstrated similar mortality rates, with the five-year survival rate ranging from 87.8 percent in the medical-therapy group to 88.3 percent in the revascularization group. In addition, all treatment groups had a similar proportion of patients without a major cardiovascular event.
The authors note, "The findings reinforce those of the COURAGE trial, which supported medical therapy as a reasonable initial approach in these patients."
(c)Copyright 2009 Information, Inc.
Medscape (11/06/09) Krumholz, Harlan M.
