Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Monami M, Cremasco F, Lamanna C, Colombi C, Desideri CM, Iacomelli I, Marchionni N, Mannucci E

Experimental diabetes research26 Apr 2011Cited by 76 (Europe PMC)

PMID21584276PMCIDPMC3092497DOI10.1155/2011/215764PepBankPUB-21584276

Summary

ObjectiveData from randomized clinical trials with metabolic outcomes can be used to address concerns about potential issues of cardiovascular safety for newer drugs for type 2 diabetes. This meta-analysis was designed to assess cardiovascular safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists.Design and methodsMEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (versus placebo or other comparators) with a duration ≥12 weeks, performed in type 2 diabetic patients. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (MH-OR) was calculated for major cardiovascular events (MACE), on an intention-to-treat basis, excluding trials with zero events.ResultsOut of 36 trials, 20 reported at least one MACE. The MH-OR for all GLP-1 receptor agonists was 0.74 (0.50-1.08), P = .12 (0.85 (0.50-1.45), P = .55, and 0.69 (0.40-1.22), P = .20, for exenatide and liraglutide, resp.). Corresponding figures for placebo-controlled and active comparator studies were 0.46 (0.25-0.83), P = .009, and 1.05 (0.63-1.76), P = .84, respectively.ConclusionsTo date, results of randomized trials do not suggest any detrimental effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular events. Specifically designed longer-term trials are needed to verify the possibility of a beneficial effect.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide did not significantly change the odds of major cardiovascular events in a pooled analysis.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide was not linked to a clear change in major heart and blood vessel events.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeMajor cardiovascular events (MACE)
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo or other comparators
Outcome group
Cardiovascular events · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated · at least 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
MH-OR
0.69
liraglutide, MACE
Source sentences
Summary
The MH-OR for all GLP-1 receptor agonists was 0.74 (0.50-1.08), P = .12 (0.85 (0.50-1.45), P = .55, and 0.69 (0.40-1.22), P = .20, for exenatide and liraglutide, resp.).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (versus placebo or other comparators) with a duration ≥12 weeks, performed in type 2 diabetic patients.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2158427601

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

02HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) did not significantly change the odds of major cardiovascular events.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, were not linked to a clear change in major heart events.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeMajor cardiovascular events (MACE)
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo or other comparators
Outcome group
Cardiovascular events · Cardiovascular
Measurements
MH-OR
0.74
all GLP-1 receptor agonists, MACE
Source sentences
Summary
The MH-OR for all GLP-1 receptor agonists was 0.74 (0.50-1.08), P = .12 (0.85 (0.50-1.45), P = .55, and 0.69 (0.40-1.22), P = .20, for exenatide and liraglutide, resp.).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (versus placebo or other comparators) with a duration ≥12 weeks, performed in type 2 diabetic patients.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2158427602
03HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In placebo-controlled trials in adults with type 2 diabetes, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) lowered the odds of major cardiovascular events.
In plain wordsIn placebo-controlled trials, GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, were linked to fewer major heart events than placebo.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseMajor cardiovascular events (MACE)
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cardiovascular events · Cardiovascular
Measurements
MH-OR
0.46
placebo-controlled studies, MACE
Source sentences
Summary
Corresponding figures for placebo-controlled and active comparator studies were 0.46 (0.25-0.83), P = .009, and 1.05 (0.63-1.76), P = .84, respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (versus placebo or other comparators) with a duration ≥12 weeks, performed in type 2 diabetic patients.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2158427603
04HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In active-comparator trials in adults with type 2 diabetes, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) did not significantly change the odds of major cardiovascular events.
In plain wordsIn trials against other drugs, GLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, were not linked to a clear change in major heart events.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeMajor cardiovascular events (MACE)
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Active comparators
Outcome group
Cardiovascular events · Cardiovascular
Measurements
MH-OR
1.05
active comparator studies, MACE
Source sentences
Summary
Corresponding figures for placebo-controlled and active comparator studies were 0.46 (0.25-0.83), P = .009, and 1.05 (0.63-1.76), P = .84, respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (versus placebo or other comparators) with a duration ≥12 weeks, performed in type 2 diabetic patients.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2158427604

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

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Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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