Table 1: Comparison of novel antidiabetic agents in the context of cardiac surgery.

Pharmacological Group

Main Benefits

Risks / Limitations

Evidence in Cardiac Surgery

Current Recommendation

GLP-1 Agonists (liraglutide, exenatide)

- Improved perioperative glycemic control

- Reduced insulin requirements

- Possible preservation of left ventricular function

- Modest effects on hemodynamic function

- Small sample sizes in studies

- Heterogeneous results

Small trials and some RCTs show improvements in glycemia and echocardiographic parameters

Promising and safe, but larger studies are needed

DPP-4 Inhibitors (sitagliptin, saxagliptin, alogliptin)

- Lower risk of hypoglycemia

- Possible reduction in insulin doses

- Inconsistent evidence in glycemic control

- Risk of heart failure with saxagliptin/alogliptin

- Potential for organ dysfunction

Trials show conflicting results; some do not demonstrate significant differences in glycemia

Not routinely recommended in cardiac surgery

SGLT2 Inhibitors (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, sotagliflozin)

- Cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects

- Lower incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI)

- Reduced perioperative inflammation

- Lower cardiovascular mortality and revascularization rates

- Risk of ketoacidosis (low but present)

- Evidence still limited in cardiac surgery

- Several studies with small sample sizes

Pilot trials and retrospective studies show reduced AKI and improved long-term outcomes

Highly promising, with the highest level of current evidence; larger RCTs required

AKI = acute kidney injury.

RCT = randomized controlled trial.