Empagliflozin may reduce hospitalization and death risk in heart failure: Study

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of these drugs in patients across the broad spectrum of heart failure, including those with a markedly reduced ejection fraction.

The researchers designed a double-blind trial, with 3730 patients ,having an ejection fraction of 40% or less to receive empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) or placebo, in addition to recommended therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for worsening heart failure.

For the study sample,Adults (≥18 years of age) who had chronic heart failure (functional class II, III, or IV) with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less were eligible to participate in the trial. All the patients were receiving appropriate treatments for heart failure, including diuretics, inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin system and neprilysin, betablockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and, when indicated, cardiac devices.

On data analysis, the following facts emerged.

· During a median of 16 months, a primary outcome event occurred in 361 of 1863 patients (19.4%) in the empagliflozin group and in 462 of 1867 patients (24.7%) in the placebo group .

· The effect of empagliflozin on the primary outcome was consistent in patients regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes.

· The total number of hospitalizations for heart failure was lower in the empagliflozin group than in the placebo group.

· The annual rate of decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate was slower in the empagliflozin group than in the placebo group.

· Empagliflozin -treated patients had a lower risk of serious renal outcomes. Uncomplicated genital tract infection was reported more frequently with empagliflozin.

For the full article,follow the link: 10.1056/NEJMoa2022190

Primary source: The New England Journal of Medicine