SGLT2 Inhibition and cardiovascular events: why did EMPA-REG Outcomes surprise and what were the likely mechanisms?
While the modest reduction in the primary composite outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death in the EMPA-REG Outcomes trial was welcome, the 30-40% reductions in heart failure hospitalisation (HFH) and cardiovascular and all-cause deaths in patients treated with empagliflozin were highly impressive and unexpected. In this review, we discuss briefly why cardiovascular endpoint trials for new diabetes agents are required and describe the results of the first four such trials to have reported, as a precursor to understanding why the EMPA-REG Outcomes results came as a surprise. Thereafter, we discuss potential mechanisms that could explain the EMPA-REG Outcomes results, concentrating on non-atherothrombotic effects. We suggest that the main driver of benefit may derive from the specific effects of sodium-glucose linked transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibition on renal sodium and glucose handling, leading to both diuresis and improvements in diabetes-related maladaptive renal arteriolar responses. These haemodynamic and renal effects are likely to be beneficial in patients with clinical or subclinical cardiac dysfunction. The net result of these processes, we argue, is an improvement in cardiac systolic and diastolic function and, thereby, a lower risk of HFH and sudden cardiac death. We also discuss whether other drugs in this class are likely to show similar cardiovascular benefits. Finally, areas for future research are suggested to better understand the relevant mechanisms and to identify other groups who may benefit from SGLT2 inhibitor therapy.
BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, 126 University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK. naveed.sattar@glasgow.ac.uk.
Naveed
N
Sattar
BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, 126 University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
James
J
McLaren
Department of Cardiology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Søren L
SL
Kristensen
Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
David
D
Preiss
BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, 126 University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
John J
JJ
McMurray
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D005960:Glucosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051297:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D005960:Glucosides; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D051297:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; C570240:empagliflozin
Blood pressure; Cardiovascular mortality; Empagliflozin; Haemodynamic; Heart failure; Renal dysfunction; Review; Sodium-glucose linked transporter-2; Type 2 diabetes