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Safety outcomes of SGLT2i in the heart failure trials: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

Younes AM, Salem M, Maraey A, Nomigolzar S, Sewell K, Khalil M, Elzanaty A, Saeyeldin A et al.

International journal of cardiology, 2022

27 citations

Abstract

AIMS

Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors (SGLT2i) are emerging as a new treatment for heart failure (HF) after demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes in several randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In this meta-analysis, we assessed the safety of SGLT2i in the trials that prespecified heart failure in their inclusion criteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the databases for RCTs comparing SGLT2i to placebo in heart failure patients. The primary outcome was the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs). A sensitivity analysis according to the class of HF was also performed.

RESULTS

The incidence of SAEs was significantly lower in the SGLT2i group (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.92; P, 0.0002) and SAEs remained significantly lower after performing the sensitivity analysis (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75-0.89; P, <0.00001). Genital infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and hypotension were significantly higher in the SGLT2i group.

CONCLUSIONS

SGLT2i remain a safe option for patients with HF with a lower incidence of SAEs. However, since they increase the risk of genital infection, UTIs and hypotension, the risks vs benefits in each patient should be weighed when making a prescribing decision.

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