Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 15, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

33.5K

Long-term effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on arrhythmias: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Peipei Li1, Weiwei Chen1, Rui Chen2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Jilin Provincial Cardiovascular Research Institute, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|July 17, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors significantly lower the risk of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. However, these SGLT2 inhibitors do not impact the risk of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or sinus bradycardia.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are recognized for their cardioprotective effects in heart failure treatment.
  • The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on various cardiac arrhythmias remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the long-term effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on different types of arrhythmias.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing the incidence of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and sinus bradycardia.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov) was conducted up to June 30, 2024.
  • Included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a follow-up of at least 52 weeks.
  • Primary outcome: atrial fibrillation/flutter; Secondary outcomes: ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, sinus bradycardia. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-nine RCTs with 107,770 participants were analyzed.
  • SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of atrial fibrillation/flutter compared to placebo (RR 0.86; 95%CI, 0.77-0.95; P = 0.003).
  • No significant differences were observed for ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or sinus bradycardia. Dose-dependent effects on atrial fibrillation/flutter were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrate a significant benefit in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
  • These agents do not appear to influence the risk of ventricular arrhythmias or sinus bradycardia.
  • The incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter was not significantly affected by different doses of SGLT2 inhibitors.
Keywords:
arrhythmiaatrial fibrillationatrial fluttermeta-analysissodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors

More Related Videos

Real-Time Electrocardiogram Monitoring During Treadmill Training in Mice04:45

Real-Time Electrocardiogram Monitoring During Treadmill Training in Mice

Published on: May 5, 2022

2.6K
Optimization of Transesophageal Atrial Pacing to Assess Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Mice08:05

Optimization of Transesophageal Atrial Pacing to Assess Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Mice

Published on: June 29, 2022

2.9K

Related Concept Videos

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
861
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers01:22

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
1.8K
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
306
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
733
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers01:12

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers

Class III antiarrhythmic drugs are a group of medications that can prolong action potentials in the heart. They achieve this by blocking potassium channels or enhancing inward currents from sodium channels. However, these drugs have a unique property of "reverse use-dependence," which is most pronounced at slower heart rates and can lead to torsades de pointes—a specific type of arrhythmia. However, it is essential to note that excessive QT interval prolongation—a measure of...
1.2K
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
262