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Comparative analysis of the addition of empagliflozin versus doubling the furosemide dose in decompensated heart failure

Polat F, Kaya Z, Süleymanoğlu C

Cardiovascular drugs and therapy, 2025

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to compare the addition of SGLT2 inhibitors or doubling the diuretic dose in patients receiving treatment with beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), as well as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who present to the emergency department with decompensated heart failure.

METHODS: This study is a single-center and prospective analysis. A total of 980 decompensated heart failure (HFrEF) patients receiving optimal medical therapy (OMT) according to the 2021 European heart failure guidelines were randomized in a 2:1 ratio into the furosemide and empagliflozin treatment arms. The analysis includes patient clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and echocardiographic data. Factors influencing rehospitalization were identified through multivariate Cox regression analysis. Log-rank analysis was employed to assess factors affecting rehospitalization.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 67.9 years, with 52.1% being men. There was no significant impact of demographic, clinical, or echocardiographic factors on rehospitalization at 1 month; only the effect of treatment subgroups on rehospitalization was observed (p = 0.039). Significant echocardiographic and clinical improvements were seen in both treatment arms. The empagliflozin group exhibited significant improvements in 6-min walk distance, heart rate, body…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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