Renal Safety in Diabetic Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Treated with Vildagliptin

Background: One-third of diabetic patients exhibit impaired kidney function and low Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Furthermore, diabetics hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are likely to undergo cardiac catheterization and put themselves at high risk of developing renal failure.

Objectives: Assessing the renal safety of Galvus (Vildagliptin) as a glucose-lowering treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients undergoing cardiac catheterization during ACS hospitalization and up to a year after discharge.

Methods: 100 T2DM adult patients were enrolled upon admission to the ICCU with an ACS diagnosis. Creatinine values were measured and GFR was calculated (MDRD Equation) on admission (before undergoing PCI), on discharge, 30 days, 90 days and a year after discharge.

Results: No significant worsening had been found for Galvus treated subjects at the time of admission compared to the time of discharge, 30 days and 1 year after discharge in both creatinine level and GFR. In the control group, a significant worsening had been found in GFR with a marginally significant increase in creatinine level at the time of admission compared to the time of discharge. A significant worsening had been found in GFR 30 days after admission. No significant difference had been found in creatinine level in both groups, 90 days after admission.

Conclusions: Administration of Vildagliptin to T2DM patients hospitalized for ACS, in conjunction with the standard Insulin-only treatment, did not impair kidney function; even when undergoing PCI. The results support the positive trend to take place even a year after hospitalization. Further studies are required to verify the promising results.