Impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes and metabolic events in Chinese han patients with chronic heart failure

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the real-world impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on the efficacy, safety, and metabolic profiles of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), both with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsA cohort of 1,130 patients with reduced ejection fraction chronic heart failure (HFrEF) was recruited from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, spanning January 2021 to August 2023. Among these, 154 patients received SGLT2i therapy, while 131 patients were assigned to a non-SGLT2i group, following specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The association between SGLT2i therapy and the risk of primary and secondary endpoints was analyzed, alongside the effect of guideline-recommended heart failure medications at varying dosages on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE).ResultsSGLT2i treatment led to reductions in blood pressure, uric acid, NT-proBNP, and pulmonary artery pressure, while increasing body mass index (BMI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in CHF patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that SGLT2i therapy reduced the primary endpoint risk by 40.3% (HR 0.597, 95% CI 0.356-0.973, p = 0.047). Univariate Cox regression indicated that SGLT2i might also reduce the incidence of new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, and MACE in CHF patients. Moreover, the use of a four-drug combination for heart failure management was associated with a lower risk of MACE compared to monotherapy.ConclusionSGLT2i therapy not only enhances LVEF but also significantly reduces ambulatory blood pressure, uric acid, fasting blood glucose, pulmonary artery pressure, and NT-proBNP levels in CHF patients. Additionally, SGLT2i improves prognosis by lowering the risk of both primary and secondary endpoints. Compared to monotherapy, a four-drug regimen for CHF substantially reduces the risk of MACE, supporting the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment strategies.