Clinical Considerations for Use of SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Review.

Heart failure (HF) continues to increase in prevalence, representing a significant burden to healthcare systems in the USA. Despite several established HF therapies, particularly for HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), rates of HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular (CV) mortality remain very high. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an important risk factor for HF, with the two conditions often occurring concurrently. Several CV outcomes trials have shown that the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) class of antihyperglycemic drugs reduces the risk of HF-related outcomes in patients with T2D and either established CV disease or multiple CV risk factors. Subsequently, there have been large clinical studies that have investigated the effects of SGLT2is in patients with HFrEF, with or without T2D, which have shown that both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have significant reductions in hospitalization for HF and CV mortality. These data led to US Food and Drug Administration approval of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin as a novel treatment pathway for patients with HFrEF; empagliflozin has subsequently been approved for the treatment of HF regardless of ejection fraction. A clinical practice algorithm can assist cardiologists in identifying patients who may be eligible for SGLT2i treatment as well as the appropriate timeframe for initiating therapy and the parameters for patient monitoring. Given the evidence that SGLT2is are beneficial in the management of HF, specifically HFrEF, irrespective of underlying T2D, evidence-based recommendations and greater clinician familiarity can facilitate the integration of SGLT2is into general HF therapeutic management.

Key Summary Points

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) affects more than 37.7 million adults worldwide and carries a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality [1, 2]. In the USA, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2013 to 2016) suggest that 6.2 million adults (at least 20 years old) have HF [3]; this number is projected to increase to more than eight million by 2030 [3, 4]. HF is the primary cause of more than one million hospitalizations annually in the USA, with approximately 25% of patients being readmitted or dying from cardiovascular (CV) causes within 6 months of discharge [5]. In 2017, one in eight deaths in the USA was attributed to HF [3]. Consequently, poor HF-related outcomes pose a significant burden to the US healthcare system with an estimated total healthcare cost of approximately $30.7 billion in 2012 and a projected increase up to $69.8 billion in 2030 [3]. Despite the availability and use of guideline-recommended medications, HF carries a poor prognosis and, therefore, new treatment approaches are required. Several large CV outcome trials have shown significant reductions in hospitalization for HF (HHF) during treatment with the glucose-lowering therapy sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established CV disease (CVD) or multiple CV risk factors [6-11]. Recently, evidence from placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials demonstrated that SGLT2is improve CV outcomes in patients who have HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with or without T2D [12, 13]. This narrative review considers current guidelines for the treatment of HF, the mechanism of the hemodynamic and cardioprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibition, and clinical considerations when initiating therapy with SGLT2is for HF in practice.

Methods

Studies relevant to the topic of this narrative review article were identified by non-systematic literature searches of the PubMed database. Search terms were those related to SGLT2i therapy (“SGLT-2 inhibitor”, “sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor”, “canagliflozin”, “dapagliflozin”, “empagliflozin”, “ertugliflozin”, “sotagliflozin”) and “heart failure”. The search was limited to publications in English published between July 2015 and November 2021 that reported clinical trials and meta-analyses of SGLT2is. Publications that reported CV and/or renal outcomes in patients treated with SGLT2is were included in this review.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any new studies with human participants or animals performed by the author.

A New Pathway for the Treatment of HFrEF

Various treatment guidelines exist for the management of HF, and some have been modified recently to incorporate SGLT2i therapy. In 2019, the consensus recommendations and guidelines of the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association pertinent to HF were updated to include SGLT2i therapy in patients with T2D and established atherosclerotic CVD [14-16]. Additionally, the ACC/AHA recommended the use of SGLT2is as a primary treatment for prevention of the development of HF in patients with T2D who are at risk [15].

More recently, the 2021 guidelines of the ESC and Heart Failure Association of the ESC recommend dapagliflozin and empagliflozin for the reduction of HHF and death in all patients with HFrEF [17]. These guidelines also recommend the use of SGLT2is in individuals with T2D and HFrEF to reduce HHF and CV death (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and sotagliflozin) and in patients with T2D who are at risk of CV events to reduce HHF, major CV events, end-stage kidney dysfunction, and CV death (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, and sotagliflozin) [17]. Further, the 2021 update to the Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Optimization of Heart Failure Treatment [18] recommends that the use of SGLT2is (dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) be considered as part of therapy for patients with and without T2D who have HFrEF and are already receiving β-blockers, an angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi)/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and/or aldosterone antagonists, if not contraindicated. The aforementioned recommendations were based on demonstrated benefits of SGLT2is on HF outcomes and indicate that the drug class constitutes a new therapeutic option for HFrEF.

SGLT2is in Patients with T2D: Summary of the CV Outcome Trials

The CV safety of SGLT2is has been assessed in several large CV outcome trials in patients with T2D and established CVD (empagliflozin [EMPA-REG OUTCOME] and ertugliflozin [VERTIS-CV]) as well as T2D and atherosclerotic CVD or multiple CVD risk factors (canagliflozin [CANVAS] and dapagliflozin [DECLARE–TIMI 58]) [7, 10, 11, 19]. The study designs and patient populations of these CV outcome trials varied (Fig. 1a) [7, 10, 11, 19], and these differences most likely had an effect on the individual study results, but a consistent finding was a significant reduction in HHF compared with placebo [7, 10, 11, 19].

Fig. 1

Summary of HF-related outcomes observed in trials with SGLT2is in a patients with T2D [7, 10, 11, 19] and b patients with HFrEF [12, 13, 22, 30]. CI confidence interval, CV cardiovascular, CVD cardiovascular disease, HF heart failure, HFpEF HF with preserved ejection fraction, HFrEF HF with reduced ejection fraction, HHF hospitalization for HF, HR hazard ratio, MACE major adverse CV events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke), NNT number needed to treat, NR not reported, NYHA New York Heart Association, PBO placebo, SGLT2i sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, SOTA sotagliflozin, T2D type 2 diabetes. *Primary study end point; †Secondary or other end points; ‡Defined as an unplanned hospitalization for HF or an urgent visit resulting in intravenous therapy for heart failure; §Defined in SOLOIST-WHF as hospitalizations and urgent visits for HF

The EMPA-REG OUTCOME and CANVAS studies found a significant reduction (14%) in the relative risk of 3-point major adverse CV event (MACE) with empagliflozin and canagliflozin, respectively, compared with placebo in patients with T2D and established CVD (EMPA-REG OUTCOME) or high CV risk (CANVAS) (Fig. 1a) [7, 10]. Significant reductions in the risk of HHF of 35% with empagliflozin and of 33% with canagliflozin were also observed [6–8, 10]. The DECLARE–TIMI 58 study (patients with T2D and a majority at high CV risk; thus, this was a study of the “primary prevention” of HF) and VERTIS-CV study (patients with established CVD and T2D) found that dapagliflozin and ertugliflozin were noninferior to placebo for reducing the risk of the composite 3-point MACE end point, but both agents significantly reduced the risk of HHF (by 27% and 30%, respectively) as well as the risk of the composite of HHF or CV death (by 17% and 12%, respectively) (Fig. 1a) [11, 19].

A meta-analysis of data from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME, CANVAS, and DECLARE–TIMI 58 trials found that irrespective of atherosclerotic CVD or history of HF at baseline, treatment with SGLT2is was associated with significant reductions in the risk of HHF or CV death (by 23%) and the risk of HHF (by 31%) [9].

SGLT2is in Patients with HFrEF Regardless of T2D Status

The marked effects of SGLT2is on HF outcomes in CV outcome trials, in which all patients had T2D by definition, led researchers to speculate whether these agents have a benefit in patients with HFrEF without T2D. Therefore, the effects of SGLT2is on CV outcomes among patients with and without T2D are being actively investigated, with published data available from the DAPA-HF [12] and EMPEROR-Reduced [13] studies (Fig. 1b).

DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced were both randomized, placebo-controlled studies (median follow-up 16–18 months) that evaluated the efficacy and safety of SGLT2is (dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, respectively) plus standard HF therapy at baseline in patients with HFrEF (left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤ 40%; New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II–IV) [12, 13, 20]. Both studies included a high proportion of patients without T2D (58% in DAPA-HF and 50% in EMPEROR-Reduced) [12, 13]. The results of both studies were remarkably consistent. In DAPA-HF, the relative risk for the primary outcome, a composite of worsening HF (defined as an unplanned hospitalization or an urgent visit resulting in intravenous therapy for HF) or CV death, was reduced by 26% with dapagliflozin versus placebo (P < 0.001), and the secondary outcome of HHF or CV death was reduced by 25% (P < 0.001) (Fig. 1b) [12]. Similarly, the risk of HHF or CV death was 25% lower with empagliflozin than with placebo in the EMPEROR-Reduced study (P < 0.001) [13]. Both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin reduced the risk of HHF by approximately 30% (both P < 0.001) [12, 13]. The risk of CV death significantly decreased by 18% with dapagliflozin in the DAPA-HF study (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.98]) [12]. In both studies, the effects of SGLT2is on these outcomes were observed early in the course of treatment (i.e., early separation from placebo) and were similar between patients with and without T2D, suggesting a nonglycemic mechanism leading to improved CV outcomes [12, 13].

Baseline characteristics in both DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced were very similar. The mean LVEF in DAPA-HF was 31% vs 27% in EMPEROR-Reduced [12, 13]. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 66 and 62 mL/min/1.73 m2 in DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced, respectively [12, 13]. Though patients with LVEF < 40% and NYHA class II–IV HF were enrolled, the majority of patients in both trials had NYHA class II HF. A subsequent meta-analysis of data from these studies demonstrated that both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have a significant effect on the composite end point of HHF or CV death in a range of patient subgroups: with or without T2D, body mass index < 30 or ≥ 30 kg/m2, eGFR < 60 or ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, with or without a history of HHF, aged ≤ 65 or > 65 years, men or women [21].

Further evidence of the benefit of SGLT2i therapy in patients with HF has come from the SOLOIST-WHF study (Fig. 1b) [22]. In this study, patients with T2D, recently hospitalized for worsening HF, were randomized to receive sotagliflozin or placebo. Patients had HFrEF (LVEF < 50%) or HF with preserved LVEF (LVEF ≥ 50%; HFpEF) and received prior treatment with an intravenous diuretic [22]. The trial was terminated early because of loss of funding from the sponsor, which resulted in the primary and secondary end points being amended. The revised primary end point of total number of deaths from CV causes and HHF and urgent visits for HF was reduced by 33% in patients receiving sotagliflozin (P < 0.001), with effects seen both in patients with HFrEF (HR 0.72 [95% CI 0.56–0.94]) and HFpEF (HR 0.48 [95% CI 0.27–0.86]). Sotagliflozin also significantly reduced the first secondary end point in the hierarchy (total number of HHF and urgent visits for HF) but had no effect on other secondary end points [22].

On the basis of the findings from the DAPA-HF study, dapagliflozin became the first SGLT2i to be approved in the USA as a treatment in adults with HFrEF (NYHA class II–IV HF) to reduce the risk of CV death and HHF [23]. More recently, on the basis of data from the EMPEROR-Reduced study, empagliflozin received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in adult patients with HFrEF (NYHA class II–IV HF) to reduce the risk of CV death and HHF [24]. Empagliflozin has since been approved for the treatment of HFpEF on the basis of the results of the EMPEROR-Preserved study [24].

Mitigation of potential risk factors for HF, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), is an important consideration when choosing treatment interventions for HF; the renal protective effects of SGLT2is can serve as the basis for their use in patients with renal impairment [25]. These effects were investigated in several studies including the aforementioned EMPEROR-Reduced study in patients with HFrEF as well as the CREDENCE (canagliflozin; in patients with T2D), DAPA-CKD (dapagliflozin; in patients with or without T2D), and SCORED (sotagliflozin; in patients with T2D) studies in patients with baseline CKD [13, 26–28].

Of the three studies in patients with baseline CKD, DAPA-CKD was the only one to include patients without T2D. In this randomized, double-blind study of patients with CKD, approximately one-third of whom did not have T2D, the effect of dapagliflozin on renal and CV outcomes was compared with that of placebo [26]. The primary outcome was a composite of a sustained decline in eGFR by at least 50%, onset of end-stage kidney disease, or death from renal or CV causes, and the CV secondary outcome was a composite of HHF and CV death [26]. Dapagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of the primary outcome by 39% (P < 0.001) as well as the risk of HHF or CV death by 29% (P = 0.009). Interestingly, the effect of dapagliflozin on the primary end point was even more marked in patients without T2D (reduced risk by 50%) than in patients with T2D (reduced risk by 36%) [26]. Renal outcomes and CV mortality are the focus of the EMPA-KIDNEY study, which is looking at empagliflozin in patients with CKD. Data from these studies may contribute to the body of clinical evidence for SGLT2i therapy in patients with HF. Additionally, the National Kidney Foundation advocates the use of SGLT2is in appropriate patients to improve renal and CV outcomes [29].

Ongoing Clinical Trials

Several clinical trials currently investigating SGLT2i treatment effects on HF and CV and renal outcomes have application to clinical practice in specific patient populations. For example, the DELIVER study with dapagliflozin is investigating effects on CV and HF outcomes in patients with HFpEF and will add to the data from SOLOIST-WHF [22] and EMPEROR-Preserved [30] that indicate that SGLT2is may be useful approaches to managing this subtype of HF, which presently has few therapeutic options available. Data from these studies may help confirm the beneficial effects of SGLT2is on clinical outcomes in patients with HF and/or CKD and contribute to the growing body of clinical evidence for SGLT2i therapy in patients with HF. Ongoing dapagliflozin (DAPA ACT HF-TIMI 68, DICTATE-AHF) studies are also assessing use in the acute HF inpatient population, adding to the data from SOLOIST-WHF and EMPA-RESPONSE-AHF that suggest that SGLT2i initiation is safe and beneficial during acute HF hospitalization (HFrEF and HFpEF) once the patient has been stabilized.

Mechanisms Underlying the Cardioprotective Effects of SGLT2is on HF

SGLT2is decrease plasma glucose levels by reducing the renal glucose reabsorptive capacity in the proximal tubule thereby resulting in glucosuria [31]. This mechanism of action is insulin independent and does not increase the risk of hypoglycemia [31]. In addition to reductions in glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and postprandial plasma glucose [32-35], SGLT2is’ effects on glucosuria have also been associated with weight loss and reduced body fat [36]. In addition to these metabolic improvements, reductions in blood pressure (BP) and beneficial effects on CV and renal complications were observed with SGLT2is in patients with T2D [32-35].

Mounting evidence from CV outcome trials and real-world studies indicates that SGLT2is have cardioprotective effects that improve HF outcomes, and this can be attributed to multiple mechanisms (Fig. 2) [25, 37]. Inhibition of the SGLT2 receptor in the proximal tubule, in addition to blocking glucose reabsorption, also blocks reabsorption of sodium and therefore leads to an osmotic diuresis and natriuresis, resulting in reductions in both preload and afterload [38]. The BP-lowering effects of SGLT2is are out of proportion with their diuretic effect, and animal studies have shown that this drug class also leads to a downregulation of the sympathetic nervous system that is thought to play an important role in the cardio- and renoprotective benefits [39, 40].

Fig. 2

Possible mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of SGLT2is on HF [31–49]. Figure created with icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com. ATP adenosine triphosphate, HF heart failure, SGLT2is sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors

A reduction in cardiac remodeling has been attributed to inhibition of the myocardial sodium–hydrogen exchanger by SGLT2is [41]. SGLT2i-related effects on mitochondrial calcium influx are associated with reductions in LV hypertrophy and cardiac remodeling, which have the potential to mitigate systolic dysfunction [42, 43]. These improvements in ventricular loading are thought to be mediated by the changes in preload and afterload that occur with osmotic diuresis and natriuresis, which can lead to reductions in BP, intravascular volume, and arterial stiffness (a predictor of HF outcome) [44-47]. Reductions in BP have been observed without any parallel changes in heart rate; thus, other factors are thought to impact BP changes, such as non-fluid body weight reductions and direct vascular effects [25]. However, in patients with symptomatic HF and T2D, no reversal in LV remodeling was observed following treatment with the SGLT2i dapagliflozin, suggesting that other mechanisms are responsible for improved HF outcomes [48].

SGLT2is are also associated with conversion of the primary myocardial energy substrate from glucose to fatty acids, resulting in increased ketone body formation, which may have anti-arrhythmogenic effects [45]. The SGLT2i-related increase in β-hydroxybutyrate levels may shift cardiomyocyte fuel utilization from fatty acids and glucose toward the more fuel-efficient ketones, thereby lowering oxygen consumption and improving myocardial function [25, 38]. In addition, SGLT2is may affect adenosine triphosphate utilization, resulting in improved myocardial energetics, which is thought to affect LV remodeling [49].

Considerations for the Use of SGLT2is in Clinical Practice for HFrEF

Factors to Consider for the Integration of SGLT2is into the HF Treatment Plan

Although treatment algorithms and standards of care for the treatment of HF are well established, the prognosis of HF is still poor, and there is an unmet need for effective preventative therapy [50]. On the basis of data from CV outcome trials and, more recently, studies in patients with HF regardless of the presence of T2D, the guidelines and consensus recommendations of the ACC, AHA, and ESC now endorse the use of specific SGLT2is in patients with T2D and with established CVD or at risk of developing CVD, as well as in almost all patients with HFrEF [14–18, 51].

Four out of five HFrEF patients would be eligible for SGLT2i initiation [52]. Currently, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are the only SGLT2is approved in the USA for use in this patient population [23, 24]. With increasing data supporting the use of this drug class as a key pathway in the treatment of HFrEF, more cardiologists need to become comfortable using SGLT2is in clinical practice. Figure 3 provides a potential treatment algorithm, which incorporates patient assessment, initiation of treatment with SGLT2is, and patient monitoring, for clinicians to use to integrate SGLT2is into their clinical practice for HF [23, 24, 37, 53–55]. In both the DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced studies, all enrolled patients had HFrEF with LVEF < 40%, NYHA class II–IV symptoms, elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and very good background medical therapy including beta-blockers, ACEis/ARBs/ARNis, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) [12, 13]. The eGFR cutoffs in the studies were < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 for dapagliflozin and < 20 mL/min/1.73 m2 for empagliflozin, though the mean eGFRs in the two trials were 66 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 62 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively [12, 13].

Fig. 3

Treatment algorithm: prescribing SGLT2is for HFrEF in clinical practice by cardiologists: patient assessment, treatment initiation, monitoring, and patient counseling [23, 24, 37, 53–55]. Modified from Vardeny O, Vaduganathan M. Practical guide to prescribing sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for cardiologists. JACC Heart Fail 2019;7:169–172, ©2019, with permission from Elsevier Inc. DKA diabetic ketoacidosis, eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate, HCP healthcare provider, HFrEF heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA New York Heart Association, QD once daily, SGLT2i sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, T2D type 2 diabetes

Specific Safety Considerations

SGLT2is are generally well tolerated and considered to have a favorable risk–benefit profile [56]; however, with the introduction of any new therapeutic agent, such as SGLT2is, into a patient’s treatment plan, the physician should take into consideration adverse events (AEs) sometimes seen in SGLT2i users (Table 1) [17, 18, 51, 53]. Patients with underlying comorbidities and concomitant medications should be monitored for the following serious (although rare) AEs: volume depletion, renal injury, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) [17, 53]. Baseline medications are also an important consideration, particularly agents that have a diuretic effect [57, 58], or, in the patients with comorbid T2D, those agents that can precipitate hypoglycemia if used in conjunction with SGLT2is (i.e., insulin and sulfonylureas) [58].

Table 1

Practical considerations with use of SGLT2is [17, 18, 51, 53]

Potential adverse events	Practical considerations
Any patient initiating SGLT2is
Volume depletion	Increased risk with concomitant use of SGLT2i and diuretic; a diuretic dose adjustment may need to be considered
	Educate patients about the potential for orthostatic hypotension and the importance of monitoring body weight and blood pressure on a regular basis, particularly in the first week of SGLT2i therapy
	Provide preemptive guidance to patients to contact a HCP if they lose ≥ 1.4 kg over a 24-h period, ≥ 1.8 kg in a week, or in a setting of symptomatic hypotension
Genital and UTIs	Mycotic infections are more common among female and uncircumcised male individuals
	HCP should reinforce the importance of adequate hygiene
	Advise patients to immediately contact a HCP to report any genital/perineal tenderness, redness, or swelling
	There is no significant increase in the risk of UTIs
Renal injury	Baseline and periodic monitoring of renal function is recommended when starting SGLT2i therapy [17]
	Modest initial decrease in eGFR (3–4 mL/min/1.73 m2) expected with SGLT2i initiation
	In patients with impaired renal function, monitoring renal function is recommended during the first few weeks of SGLT2i therapy [17, 18, 51, 53]
	Cases of acute kidney injury are rare, except in concert with volume depletion [18]
Adverse drug–drug interaction	Pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions are minimal
	Co-administration of canagliflozin, a P-glycoprotein substrate, with digoxin may increase digoxin plasma levels. It is important to monitor digoxin levels and any signs or symptoms of toxicity with concomitant use of canagliflozin and digoxin
Specific considerations in patients with T2D
Hypoglycemia	This is uncommon; however, there is an increased risk with concomitant use of sulfonylureas or insulin
	Dose adjustments or discontinuation of the sulfonylurea or reduction of the total daily insulin dose by < 20% could reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [51]
DKA	Advise patients about DKA risk, identifying the following symptoms of DKA: fruity breath odor, thirst, polyuria, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and fever
	For high-risk patients, home monitoring with urine ketone test strips may be advised
	Precautions to take to lower DKA risk:
	Avoid preemptive, substantial reductions (> 20%) in daily insulin dose [51]
	Use caution with low carbohydrate diets, which may result in excessive ketosis
	Limit excessive alcohol intake
	Discontinue SGLT2i ≥ 3 days before surgery to prevent postoperative ketoacidosis [17]
	Asymptomatic elevations in β-hydroxybutyrate are frequent with SGLT2is, but only a fraction of cases lead to overt DKA
Lower limb amputations	Predominantly toe and metatarsal
	More apparent with the SGLT2i canagliflozin
	Increased risk with previous amputations or with established peripheral artery disease
	Educate patients, especially those with diabetic neuropathy, about performing regular foot exams and seeing a podiatrist annually

DKA diabetic ketoacidosis, eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate, HCP healthcare provider, SGLT2i sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, T2D type 2 diabetes, UTIs urinary tract infections

The concomitant effects on diuresis can be a concern, especially when SGLT2is are prescribed in combination with ACEis/ARBs/ARNis, MRAs, and/or loop diuretics [44, 56], which may necessitate dose adjustments of loop diuretics depending on the patient’s volume status at the time of initiation [57]. However, a sub-analysis of the CANVAS study of canagliflozin found that a greater benefit on MACE outcomes was seen in patients receiving diuretics versus those not receiving these drugs [59]. If volume depletion or hypotension is considered a risk in a patient receiving concomitant SGLT2i and diuretic therapies, consideration should be given to dose reduction or cessation of diuretic therapy, similar to how one would initiate an ARNi in clinical practice [58].

Genitourinary infections, including urinary tract infections and genital mycotic infections, are attributed to glucosuria and are one of the most common AEs of SGLT2is. Several clinical trials have shown that urinary tract infections were not significantly increased with SGLT2is compared with placebo, whereas the incidence of genital mycotic infections was three- to fourfold higher with SGLT2is [58]. These genitourinary infections are usually mild and easy to treat. Physicians can assist patients in mitigating the risk of these infections by stressing the importance of personal hygiene [58].

SGLT2is have been associated with a reduction in the eGFR over the initial 1–4 weeks of treatment as a result of hemodynamic changes in the glomerulus; however, this is usually a transient effect, with the eGFR normalizing to a stable level within 1–3 months [60]. Sufficient data now support the renoprotective effects of SGLT2is, including data from the CREDENCE, DAPA-CKD, SCORED, and EMPEROR-Reduced trials [13, 26–28].

SGLT2is have a very low risk of hypoglycemia, which is limited almost exclusively to patients with T2D on background glucose-lowering therapy, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin [58]. Consequently, patients with T2D may require adjustments in insulin or sulfonylurea dosage when initiating SGLT2i therapy [58]. The risk of major hypoglycemia (i.e., hypoglycemia requiring assistance) with dapagliflozin in patients with HF appears to be limited to those with T2D, because no major hypoglycemic events were observed in patients without T2D in the DAPA-HF study and a subsequent exploratory analysis thereof [12, 26, 61]. The incidences of hypoglycemic events (defined as a plasma glucose level ≤ 70 mg/dL or events requiring assistance) in the EMPEROR-Reduced study in patients with HFrEF was 2.2% in empagliflozin-treated patients with T2D and 0.7% in those without T2D [13]. Similarly, the incidences of severe hypoglycemic events (defined as those requiring assistance) were 0.6% and 0.0%, respectively [62].

To mitigate the risk of DKA when initiating SGLT2i treatment, minor reductions to the insulin dosage can be made; in cases of acute illness, patients should be monitored and if acidosis worsens, consideration should be given to temporarily interrupting SGLT2i therapy [17, 18, 58, 63]. Prior to initiating treatment with an SGLT2i, clinical conditions known to predispose to an increased risk for DKA should be resolved [17, 18, 58, 63]. The phenomenon known as euglycemic DKA has been reported in SGLT2i-treated patients, but it may go undiagnosed as it presents with normal or slightly elevated blood glucose; consequently, serum ketones or urine ketones need to be assessed in SGLT2i-treated patients who exhibit DKA symptoms [64].

Patient Case Study

The following patient case has been developed to illustrate the use of SGLT2i therapy for a patient with HFrEF. Patient A.K. (Table 2) has HFrEF and is clinically stable, receiving optimal guideline-recommended HF treatments (ARNi, β-blocker, aldosterone antagonist, and furosemide). Following a review of A.K.’s medical history, including an assessment of kidney function and volume status (Fig. 3), A.K.’s cardiologist decided to initiate treatment with the SGLT2i dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily to further reduce the risk of HHF and CV death in this patient with HFrEF. Patient A.K.’s furosemide 20 mg dose was held until the 2–4-week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, at which time there was a repeat assessment of volume status and basic metabolic panel. Postural hypotension/volume status, as well as kidney function and acidosis will be monitored by A.K.’s cardiologist on a regular basis throughout treatment. Patient A.K. was counseled about potential AEs, including genital infections and potential signs of hypovolemia such as rapid weight loss, dizziness, and/or postural hypotension. In line with a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with HFrEF, patient A.K.’s primary care physician was advised about the new medication regimen and given guidance about recommended assessments during follow-up (body weight, renal function, BP, and serial basic metabolic panel).

Table 2

Case study: a patient with HF who is a potential candidate for SGLT2i therapy in clinical practice

Patient  A.K. is a 59-year-old man with a 10-year history of hypertension, initially managed with lisinopril 20 mg/day. Last year, he experienced an anterior wall MI, after which his LVEF has been 30%. During hospitalization for the MI, A.K. was started on carvedilol, and lisinopril was discontinued and replaced by sacubitril/valsartan. Spironolactone was added at a subsequent clinic visit. His other medications include low-dose aspirin and high-intensity statin therapy  His family history is notable for CAD and CHF in his father; A.K. remembers his father being hospitalized several times after his diagnosis  On exam, A.K. is clinically euvolemic and tolerating all of his current cardiac medications

Medical history  Hypertension, CAD status post-MI, CKD stage 2, and HFrEF  BP 145/85 mmHg  Heart rate 75 bpm  LDL cholesterol 68 mg/dL  BMI 28.1 kg/m2 (weight, 91 kg/height, 1.8 m)  HbA1c 6.1%  eGFR 65 mL/min/1.73 m2  Lifestyle (regular exercise/healthy dietary practices/nonsmoker)  Family history of CAD (father had experienced ACS at age 54 years and died of CHF at age 71)

Medications  Sacubitril/valsartan, 97/103 mg BID  Carvedilol, 25 mg BID  Furosemide, 20 mg QD  Spironolactone, 25 mg QD  Aspirin, 81 mg QD  Atorvastatin, 80 mg QD

ACS acute coronary syndrome, BID twice daily, BMI body mass index, BP blood pressure, CAD coronary artery disease, CHF congestive heart failure, CKD chronic kidney disease, eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate, HbA1c glycated hemoglobin, HF heart failure, HFrEF heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, LDL low density lipoprotein, LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction, MI myocardial infarction, QD once daily, SGLT2i sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor

Conclusions

A growing body of clinical evidence demonstrates that SGLT2is are beneficial when added to current standard of care for the treatment of HFrEF in patients with or without T2D. However, physicians may require further practical guidance regarding the integration of SGLT2is into their clinical management of patients with HFrEF, specifically a clinical practice algorithm considering a patient’s unique profile of HF-related risk factors and concomitant medications to guide the selection of SGLT2i therapy. The clinical evidence supporting SGLT2i therapy for HFrEF is being reflected in cardiology guidelines to include SGLT2is into a standard-of-care-treatment regimen for patients with HFrEF. Ongoing clinical trials may provide further evidence to broaden the range of patients who may benefit from the cardio- and renoprotective benefits of SGLT2is and further define the physiological mechanisms responsible for SGLT2i-associated clinical outcomes in HF.

Cardiovascular mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations remain high for those with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

New therapeutic options for HF are needed to improve outcomes.

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) beneficially affect HFrEF.

SGLT2is improve HFrEF outcomes irrespective of type 2 diabetes status.

Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are US Food and Drug Administration approved for the management of HFrEF; empagliflozin is also approved for HF with preserved ejection fraction.