Efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for heart failure with preserved and mildly reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Type of funding sources: None.

SGLT2 inhibition has been a breakthrough approach in the treatment for heart failure. A most recent trial of Dapagliflozin has shown its robust benefit in patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF. However, the positive outcomes of other SGLT2i have yet to be elucidated to establish its class effect.

We evaluated the cardiovascular outcomes of SGLT2i for HFpEF and HFmrEF.

Randomized controlled trials on SGLT2i versus placebo in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of more than 40% reporting CV outcomes were searched using Pubmed, CENTRAL, and ScienceDirect. Primary outcome was the composite of hospitalization for heart failure or CV death. Secondary outcomes were the individual HHF, CV death, as well as all-cause mortality. Pooled hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used as effect estimates using fixed-effects model.

Seven studies were included with a total of 16,713 patients. In the combined HFmrEF and HFpEF population, there was a significant reduction in composite of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in the SGLT2i group (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.87, p<0.00001) compared to placebo, driven by a significant reduction in heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.83, p< 0.00001). In the distinct HFpEF population, there was a significant reduction in composite of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in the SGLT2i group (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.87, p<0.0001) compared to placebo.

SGLT2i provides significant risk reduction in HF hospitalization or CV death among patients with HFpEF compared to placebo.