Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure

Abstract

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors belong to a new class of anti-diabetic medications that decrease blood glucose levels by increased urinary glucose excretion, along with increased sodium excretion (natriuresis) and diuresis. We reviewed current clinical and animal studies to evaluate the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in patient with heart failure and unfolded the numerous important positive roles that SGLT2 inhibitors play to decrease heart-failure related hospitalization, heart-failure related mortality, to prevent new-onset cardiac failure and to improve cardiac failure with normal ejection fraction. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved dapagliflozin (a SGLT2 inhibitor) to treat patients with heart failure.