Early Efficacy of Empagliflozin in Addition to Optimal Medical Treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Abstract
Introduction: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a life-threatening condition that can lead to unfavorable clinical outcomes. It is recommended to add a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor to previous mortality-reducing pharmacological therapy. Full treatment access may be limited by costs in many countries, and early benefits with guideline-directed medical therapy must be proven and reinforced.
Objective: We aimed to analyze the short-term impact of empagliflozin on HFrEF patients concerning functional capacity, quality of life and left ventricle remodeling.
Methods: Prospective observational study that analyzed patients with HFrEF on triple therapy and were indicated to use SGLT2 inhibitor. A six-month follow-up was conducted for patients who adhered to empagliflozin use with no interruptions or complications. To compare the initial and final periods, patients performed the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and echocardiograms. The chi-square test, the Fisher’s test and the paired Student’s t-test were used for comparative analyses before and after treatment for six months, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Thirty patients were analyzed, mean age 61.9 ± 7.1, 30% female, 40% diabetic. The distance walked in the 6MWT raised from 372 ± 89m to 402 ± 53m (p=0.034); quality of life improved from 36.4 ± 24 points to 21.4 ± 17 points in the MLHFQ (p=0.0002); left ventricular…
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