Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors: New horizon of the heart failure pharmacotherapy

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have gained momentum as the latest class of antidiabetic agents for improving glycemic control. Large-scale clinical trials have reported that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced cardiovascular outcomes, especially hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have high risks of cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence has indicated that beneficial effects can be observed regardless of the presence or absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Accordingly, the Food and Drug Administration approved these agents specifically for treating patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction. It has been concluded that canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, or ertugliflozin can be recommended for preventing hospitalization associated with heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease or those at high cardiovascular risk. In the present review, we explore the available evidence on SGLT2 inhibitors in terms of the cardioprotective effects, potential mechanisms, and ongoing clinical trials that may further clarify the cardiovascular effects of the agents.