Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors in Heart Failure: An Umbrella Review

Cureus. 2023 Jul 19;15(7):e42113. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42113. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Heart failure remains a leading cause of hospitalization and death, and presents a significant challenge for healthcare providers despite the advancements in its management. This umbrella review aimed to pool the results of meta-analyses on the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure patients. A literature search was done on five databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and Science Direct for articles with full texts available online. Meta-analyses of five or more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included; the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) was used to assess the quality of included studies. A systematic search identified 10 relevant meta-analyses of RCTs, with primary analyses including outcome data from 171,556 heart failure patients. A pooled review showed that SGLT-2 inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of heart failure hospitalization, cardiovascular death, mortality, serious adverse events, and improved quality of life. SGLT-2 inhibitors are likely safe and effective in managing patients with heart failure especially considering the acute outcomes.

Keywords: cardiology research; heart failure hospitalization; heart failure prognosis; sglt2 inhibitors and heart failure; sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (sglt-2) inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Review