The role of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 protein inhibitors in heart failure: more than an antidiabetic drug?

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) places a great burden on both the patient and on medical facilities worldwide, with admission due to worsening HF being one of the leading causes of hospitalization. Optimizing HF in the community remains a challenge, but with appropriate medications, specialist review, and community support, the number of hospital admissions could be reduced. Sodium glucose co-transporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to play a role in patients with heart failure and reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This article seeks to investigate the existing medical literature to understand the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). AREAS COVERED: An electronic search was undertaken looking at recent literature studying the outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitors on patients with heart failure. No limits were placed on the timing of the publications or the type of article. Keywords and MeSH terms were used, and the results were summarized in the relevant section. EXPERT OPINION: This study shows that SGLT2 inhibitors are a safe and effective medication in the setting of HFrEF and has been shown to reduce symptoms of heart failure thus improving quality of life and reducing admissions due to heart failure and cardiovascular mortality.