Effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: To investigate the overall effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) on cardiovascular outcomes in a broad spectrum of heart failure (HF) patients, and further stratified by status of ejection fraction and diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that compared SGLT-2i with placebo in patients with HF. Efficacy outcomes included the composite of cardiovascular death (CVD) or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), individual CVD, individual HHF, and all-cause mortality (ACM).

Results: A total of 8 large trials comprising 16,460 HF patients were enrolled. Pooled data demonstrated that SGLT-2i significantly reduced the risk for primary composite outcome (CVD or HHF) by 23% (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.72-0.82) in HF patients. Use of SGLT-2i was associated with a statistically significant 32% reduction in HHF (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.62-0.75), a 15% reduction in CVD (HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76-0.94) and a 16% reduction in ACM (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.77-0.92). Sensitivity analyses using Mantel-Haenszel method displayed consistent results. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that SGLT-2i were robustly effective in HFrEF subgroup as well as in HF with absence/presence of T2DM, and displayed a strong trend to be effective in HFpEF. Safety analysis demonstrated SGLT-2i group had a lower proportion of serious adverse events than placebo group (RR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86-0.93).

Conclusions: Compared with placebo, SGLT-2 inhibitors have remarkable cardiovascular benefits in a broad range of HF patients. Beneficial effects were robust in HF patients regardless of T2DM status, and a strong trend to be effective in HFpEF.

Keywords: Cardiovascular outcomes; Heart failure; Meta-analysis; Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.