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Real-world experience with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in adults with Fontan circulatory failure
Ralph M L Neijenhuis1,2,3, Ari M Cedars4, Ali Zaidi5
1Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
Background:
Patients with Fontan physiology frequently develop Fontan circulatory failure (FCF), but there are no evidence-based pharmacological treatment options.
Objectives:
This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in FCF.
Methods:
A real-world, multicenter study of all adult FCF patients included in the international ACHIEVE-SGLT2i registry (NCT06932081) was conducted. Data on side effects, treatment discontinuation, and clinical outcomes were collected. Longitudinal changes in serum biomarkers and clinical parameters from one year before to one year after SGLT2i initiation were evaluated using linear mixed models. Responses between patients with reduced (FCFrEF) vs. preserved ventricular function (FCFpEF) were compared.
Results:
Thirty-three FCF patients were started on SGLT2i between January 2017 and October 2024. The median age was 32 [20.5-42] years, 17 (51.5%) were female, 11 (33.3%) had FCFrEF, and 22 (66.7%) FCFpEF. Over a median follow-up of 8.0 [3.2-12.2] months, 5 (15.2%) patients reported side effects, of whom 3 (9.1%) permanently discontinued SGLT2i. There were 11 FCF-related hospitalizations in the year before SGLT2i and 7 during follow-up in 9 patients. Blood pressure and renal function remained stable. NT-proBNP increased from 186.3 [116.8-297.1] to 272.6 [180.7-411.3] ng/L in the year before treatment (+46.4%, p = 0.022). In the year after starting SGLT2i, NT-proBNP levels decreased significantly to 200.4 [126.5-317.4] ng/L (-26.5%, p = 0.010), in both FCFrEF and FCFpEF patients.
Conclusions:
SGLT2i were safe and well-tolerated in adult patients with FCF. SGLT2i treatment was associated with a reduction in NT-proBNP, regardless of FCF phenotype.
Clinical Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT06932081.
Insights
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) show promise for treating Fontan circulatory failure (FCF). This study found SGLT2i safe and effective, reducing NT-proBNP levels in FCF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Fontan physiology predisposes patients to Fontan circulatory failure (FCF).
- Current pharmacological treatments for FCF lack evidence-based options.
- This study investigates sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) for FCF management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of SGLT2i in adult patients with FCF.
- To compare treatment responses in patients with reduced (FCFrEF) versus preserved (FCFpEF) ventricular function.
Main Methods:
- A real-world, multicenter study utilizing the ACHIEVE-SGLT2i registry (NCT06932081).
- Collected data on side effects, treatment discontinuation, and clinical outcomes.
- Analyzed longitudinal changes in biomarkers and clinical parameters pre- and post-SGLT2i initiation using linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- Thirty-three adult FCF patients (51.5% female, 33.3% FCFrEF, 66.7% FCFpEF) were included.
- SGLT2i were generally safe, with 15.2% reporting side effects and 9.1% discontinuing treatment.
- NT-proBNP levels significantly decreased by 26.5% (p=0.010) in the year after SGLT2i initiation, irrespective of ventricular function.
Conclusions:
- SGLT2i are safe and well-tolerated in adult FCF patients.
- SGLT2i treatment is associated with a significant reduction in NT-proBNP.
- These findings support SGLT2i as a potential therapeutic option for FCF.
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