The Time Is Now for Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors for Heart Failure

Chapter 3: Clinical Trials of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors for Treatment of Heart Failure

Cardiovascular outcomes trials of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated consistent signals of benefit in terms of both prevention and treatment of heart failure (HF), in patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). In response to growing evidence of the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors, including increased survival, reduced hospitalizations and improved patient-reported symptoms, functional status, and quality of life, the treatment landscape for HF has evolved. Importantly, these agents have also demonstrated safety and tolerability in individuals with HF across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction, with improvements in clinical and patient-reported outcomes occurring as early as days to weeks after treatment initiation. For patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), SGLT2 inhibitors are now increasingly recognized as foundational disease-modifying therapy. An updated joint guideline from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association now recommends including SGLT2 inhibitors for patients with HF across the spectrum of ejection fraction, irrespective of the presence of diabetes, and regardless of background therapy (Class 1 recommendation for HFrEF, Class 2a recommendation for HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction [HFmrEF] and HF with preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]). The European Society of Cardiology also include a Class I recommendation to use SGLT2 inhibitors for patients with HFrEF to reduce the risk of hospitalization for HF and CV death, irrespective of T2D status. This chapter reviews published clinical trial data about the efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors among patients with HFrEF, HFpEF, and patients hospitalized for HF.

Beyond the Glycaemic Control of Dapagliflozin: Impact on Arterial Stiffness and Macroangiopathy

Dapagliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and chronic kidney disease. In all indications, treatment can be initiated in adults with estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 25 mL/min/1.73 m². As monotherapy or as an additive therapy, dapagliflozin has been shown to promote better glycaemic control, associated with a reduction in body weight and blood pressure in a wide range of patients. In addition, dapagliflozin has a positive impact on arterial stiffness, helps to control the lipid profile and contributes to a reduced risk of cardiovascular complications. This article reviews the current scientific evidence on the role of dapagliflozin in cardiovascular risk factors including arterial stiffness, cardiovascular disease and heart failure in patients with T2DM, with the aim of helping to translate this evidence into clinical practice. The underuse of SGLT2i in actual clinical practice is also discussed.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors as an early, first-line therapy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have recently been recommended as a foundational therapy for patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) because of their favourable effects on mortality, clinical events and quality of life. While clinical practice guidelines have recommended dapagliflozin or empagliflozin in all patients with HFrEF, or sotagliflozin in those with HFrEF and concomitant diabetes, the timing and practical integration of these drugs in clinical practice is less well defined. We propose that these drugs are candidates for early, upfront administration to patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF and for patients hospitalized with HF. Growing evidence has established early benefits, with clinically meaningful reductions in clinical events that reach statistical significance within days to weeks, following dapagliflozin, empagliflozin or, in diabetic patients, sotagliflozin initiation. Secondly, although major clinical trials have tested these drugs in patients already receiving background HF therapy, secondary analyses showed that their efficacy is independent of that. Third, SGLT2 inhibitors are generally safe and well tolerated, with clinical trial data reporting minimal effects on blood pressure, glycaemia-related adverse events, and no excess in acute kidney injury. Rather, they exert renal protective effects and reduce risk of hyperkalaemia, properties that favour initiation, tolerance and persistence of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. This review supports the early initiation of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin (or sotagliflozin limited to patients with diabetes) to rapidly improve clinical outcome and quality of life of HFrEF patients.

[Practical approach of dapagliflozin for the treatment of heart failure. Role of primary care physician]

Despite traditional treatments, morbidity and mortality of patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction remains unacceptably high. Traditionally, guidelines recommended a step by step approach in the management of this population. However, this approach could delay the prescription of some drugs with proven efficacy on morbidity and prognosis. As current HF guidelines recommend, an initial comprehensive approach with the aim of targeting all neurohormonal systems that are implied in the etiopathogenesis of HF seems necessary. The DAPA-HF trial demonstrated that dapagliflozin markedly reduces the risk of HF hospitalization, and also improves prognosis. Consequently, dapagliflozin should be considered as a first-line therapy in the management of these patients. On the other hand, primary care physicians are essential for the prevention and treatment of patients with HF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. As a result, it is mandatory that they know when and how dapagliflozin should be used. In this review, a practical approach for an appropriate use of this drug is provided.