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Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure

  • Pharmacologic Therapy (W H W Tang, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Heart Failure Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to summarize the evidence on cardiovascular risks and benefits of glucose-lowering drugs in diabetic patients, with a particular focus on the role of sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and their promising potential as a heart failure treatment.

Recent Findings

The SGLT-2 inhibitor empagliflozin has emerged as the first glucose-lowering drug to lower cardiovascular mortality in diabetes with an unprecedented 38% relative risk reduction. In addition, empagliflozin significantly reduced the rate of heart failure admissions with 35% when compared to placebo in diabetic patients with established atherosclerosis.

Summary

SGLT-2 inhibitors should be considered as a first-line drug to achieve glycemic control in diabetic patients at high risk for cardiovascular diseases and heart failure in particular. As SGLT-2 inhibitors target different pathophysiological pathways in heart failure, they might even be considered in the broader population without diabetes, but this remains the topic of further study.

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  1. Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Schiepse Bos 6, 3600, Genk, Belgium

    Frederik H. Verbrugge

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Verbrugge, F.H. Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure. Curr Heart Fail Rep 14, 275–283 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11897-017-0340-1

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