Post Hoc Subgroup Analysis of the HEART2D Trial Demonstrates Lower Cardiovascular Risk in Older Patients Targeting Postprandial Versus Fasting/Premeal Glycemia

OBJECTIVE: To identify the Hyperglycemia and Its Effect After Acute Myocardial Infarction on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (HEART2D) trial subgroups with treatment difference. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 1,115 type 2 diabetic patients who had suffered from an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the HEART2D trial compared two insulin strategies targeting postprandial or fasting/premeal glycemia on time until first cardiovascular event (cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome). The HEART2D trial ended prematurely for futility. We used the classification and regression tree (CART) to identify baseline subgroups with potential treatment differences. RESULTS: CART estimated the age of >65.7 years to best predict the difference in time to first event. In the subgroup aged >65.7 years (prandial, n = 189; basal, n = 210), prandial patients had a significantly longer time to first event and a lower proportion experienced a first event (n = 56 [29.6%] vs. n = 85 [40.5%]; hazard ratio 0.69 [95% CI 0.49–0.96]; P = 0.029), despite similar A1C levels. CONCLUSIONS: Older type 2 diabetic AMI survivors may have a lower risk for a subsequent cardiovascular event with insulin targeting postprandial versus fasting/premeal glycemia.