SGLT2 inhibitors and the changing landscape for treatment of diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has become an epidemic with rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide. While strict glycemic control has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetic microvascular complications, its role in preventing cardiovascular disease has been less clear. Indeed, anti-hyperglycemic therapies have historically been neutral for cardiovascular benefit. However, recent cardiovascular outcome trials utilizing sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disease patients have demonstrated significant mortality benefit resulting in a paradigm shift in the approach towards patients with heart disease and diabetes mellitus.