Sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 inhibitors improve heart function in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure.

This article discusses the study by Grubić Rotkvić et al on the mechanisms of action of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF). T2DM and HF are highly comorbid, with a significantly increased prevalence of HF in patients with T2DM. SGLT2i exhibit potential in reducing hospitalization rates for HF and cardiovascular mortality through multiple mechanisms, including improving blood glucose control, promoting urinary sodium excretion, reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, lowering both preload and afterload on the heart, alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress, enhancing endothelial function, improving myocardial energy metabolism, and stabilizing cardiac ion homeostasis. Further research and clinical practice will help optimize the use of SGLT2i in HF patients.