SGLT-2 Inhibitors: Potential Novel Strategy to Prevent Congestive Heart Failure in Diabetes?

Sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have emerged as novel oral glucose-lowering agents for type 2 diabetes. SGLT-2 inhibitors improve glycemic control by blocking sodium-glucose cotransport in the renal proximal tubules, thereby promoting glycosuria. In this review, it is discussed mechanistically how SGLT-2 inhibitors might be particularly relevant to use in patients with or at high risk for heart failure. On a daily base, SGLT-2 inhibitors block ~330-495 mEq sodium reabsorbed in the proximal tubules, although substantial amounts can be reabsorbed more distally in the nephron. Increased sodium offering to the distal nephron is sensed at the macula densa and may attenuate neurohumoral activation, thereby improving salt sensitivity, augmenting diuretic efficacy of loop and thiazide diuretics, and potentiating the native natriuretic peptide system. Whether the favorable profile offered by SGLT-2 inhibitors is renoprotective and whether SGLT-2 inhibition can relieve and/or prevent congestion beyond traditional diuretic drugs warrants further investigation.