[SGLT2 inhibitors, new option to prevent or treat heart failure]

Gliflozins (sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors or SGLT2is) are the only glucose-lowering agents that have proven their ability to reduce major cardiovascular events, hospitalisations for heart failure and the progression to end-stage kidney disease in at risk patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). One of the most marked and reproducible effects is the reduction in hospitalisations for heart failure. This protective effect was observed in all large prospective cardiovascular outcome trials, independently of the presence of heart failure at inclusion, and was confirmed in two dedicated trials that specifically targeted patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, with or without diabetes : DAPA-HF with dapagliflozin and EMPEROR-reduced with empagliflozin. The reduction in hospitalisations for heart failure appeared more marked when baseline renal function was impaired, including when estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was inferior to 45 ml/min/1.73 m². These favourable results contribute to give a privileged position to SGLT2is in more recent international guidelines produced by diabetologists, cardiologists and nephrologists. According to these guidelines, the prescription of SGLT2is should be extended to patients with an eGFR between 30 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m² as well to non-diabetic patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. For other patients with preserved ejection fraction, one has to wait for further results from ongoing large prospective trials.