An update on diabetes spectrum in heart failure: current evidence and potential therapeutic applications

This is an introduction to this special issue on diabetes and heart failure (HF). The issue deals with the primary features and key questions regarding the coexistence of diabetes and heart failure. Evidence for most treatments of this disease state comes from post hoc analysis of clinical trials and registries. Recent evidence shows a significant decrease in HF-related events with the newer antidiabetic agents. Therefore, in this issue, we briefly summarize the most relevant cardiovascular outcome trials supporting the use of newer antidiabetic drugs beyond traditional glucose-lowering agents. Notably, this issue focuses on the important effects of antidiabetic drugs in specific population, namely, the elderly; patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction; and patients with pulmonary hypertension, as well as specific conditions related to muscle, pulmonary, and renal metabolism.