Effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiac structure and function

SGLT2 inhibitors reduce cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes in patients at high cardiovascular risk and in those with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In patients with HF and preserved EF, empagliflozin also showed favorable effects mainly related to the reduction of hospitalization for heart failure. These favorable effects are beyond the reduction of glycemic levels and mainly related to beneficial hemodynamic and anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs and improved cardiac energy metabolism. In this review, we aimed to evaluate the effects of SGLT2 inhibitor on cardiac remodeling and function, which is still incompletely clear.

Automated summary

SGLT2 inhibitors have shown beneficial effects in reducing cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in high cardiovascular risk patients and those with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Empagliflozin, in particular, has also shown favorable effects in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. These effects are not only related to glycemic control but also to hemodynamic improvements, anti-inflammatory effects, and improved cardiac energy metabolism.