Cardiopulmonary and endothelial effects of metformin treatment in an insulin resistant population

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR) is considered a primary etiologic factor in the development of cardiac dysfunction. A high prevalence of IR has been found in the non-ischemic heart failure population. It predates the development of the disease, and independently defines a worse prognosis [1]. Several studies have shown that a reduction in endothelial function [2] may represent the link between IR and decline in cardiovascular performance. Treatment with metformin has been reported to prevent the above-mentioned cardiac abnormalities [3] and the evolution of IR diabetes [4].