Emerging sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor therapies for managing heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease

IntroductionAlthough sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have risen in popularity for managing heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), little guidance is available for the management of patients with an overlap of HF and CKD.Areas coveredFollowing a brief review of the cardiorenal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, this narrative review focused on the published clinical evidence pertaining to the cardiovascular and renal efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with HF and CKD, including both randomized controlled trials and real-world observational studies. Real-world considerations of using SGLT2 inhibitors in these patients were also reviewed.Expert opinionAlthough no randomized controlled trial has specifically studied the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with HF and CKD, evidence from existing trials is largely sufficient to demonstrate that SGLT2 inhibitors are efficacious in these patients, in whom these agents should be initiated early to maximally slow declines in renal function. Further studies should focus on better guiding the timing of initiating SGLT2 inhibitors, improving these agents' cost-effectiveness, and bettering equity of access to these agents. Further areas of study may include the prognostic implications of SGLT2 inhibitors-induced changes in biomarker levels (e.g. natriuretic peptides), and the potentials of SGLT1 inhibition.

Automated summary

SGLT2 inhibitors are effective in patients with both heart failure and chronic kidney disease, and should be initiated early to slow declines in renal function. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing for initiating these agents, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure equity of access. Prognostic implications of changes in biomarker levels and the potential of SGLT1 inhibition should also be explored.