Safety and efficacy of early initiation of sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors 2 in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Aims

Data on the early use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with acute heart failure (HF) are conflicting, and mostly evaluating soft endpoints (i.e., indices of congestion, renal function, ejection fraction, and diuresis). The aim was to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess their impact after an HF decompensation event.

Methods and results

Two electronic databases were screened for eligible studies. Efficacy endpoints were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, HF hospitalization, length of hospital stay, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (nt-proBNP). Safety endpoints included acute kidney injury (AKI), volume depletion, ketoacidosis, hypotension, hypoglycemia, non-cardiovascular death, urinary tract infection, genital infections, serious adverse events (AE), and AE leading to treatment discontinuation. Two pre-specified subgroup analyses were planned according to the specific SGLT2i and clinical setting [i.e., acute myocardial infarction (MI) versus non-acute MI]. 16 RCTs enrolling 15,073 patients were considered. Early initiation of SGLT2i significantly reduced the risk of HF hospitalizations [Risk ratio (RR) 0.79, 95 % Confidence interval (CI) 0.72–0.87], AKI (RR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.59–0.99), and nt-proBNP levels (MD -354 pg/mL). No significant difference was detected for any of the other endpoints. In the pre-specified subgroup analysis, a significant interaction was found between the SGLT2i type and the risk of AKI, in favor of empagliflozin.

Conclusions

In patients recently hospitalized for acute HF, early administration of SGLT2i was associated with fewer readmissions for HF and AKI, as well as decongestant effects, without raising any safety concern.