Cardiac and Renal Effects of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors in Diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an increased risk for the development of cardiac and other vascular events, heart failure (HF), and decline in renal function. After several large cardiovascular outcome trials with mostly neutral results, 2 studies of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), empagliflozin and canagliflozin, reported favorable effects on the primary endpoint, a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. In addition, reductions of hospitalizations for HF were observed; in the case of empagliflozin, reductions in both cardiovascular mortality and total mortality occurred. These findings prompted several analyses to elucidate the mechanisms of action of SGLT2is and have initiated several large clinical trials in patients with HF without type 2 diabetes mellitus. This review summarizes known and possible mechanisms that contribute to these salutary effects of SGLT2is. Also discussed is the interplay between cardiac and renal function, as well as safety issues associated with this class of drugs.