To provide clinical guidance and an overview of the available data on the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Data Sources:
We searched the MEDLINE database via PubMed (from January 2015 to November 2020) for the following key terms: SGLT2 inhibitors, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, SGLT2i, heart failure, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Study Selection and Data Extraction:
To be included in the review, the articles needed to assess the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in the heart failure (HF) scenario.
Data Synthesis:
There is consistent evidence that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events and hospitalization in patients with HFrEF, even in the absence of T2DM. On May 5, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved dapagliflozin for adults with HFrEF, regardless of the presence of T2DM, even in those patients on standard therapy, including an angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor.
Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:
The SGLT2 inhibitors are well tolerated, and their once-daily dosing without the need for adjustments is convenient. These drugs can be considered a major breakthrough in pharmacotherapy for HF, providing physicians with a new treatment approach to reduce major clinical outcomes.
Conclusions:
SGLT2 inhibitor therapy reduces CV death and hospitalizations in HFrEF patients regardless of T2DM. The decision to prescribe this class of drugs should not be determined by glycemic status.
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