REVIEW PAPER
Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin – a new perspective for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
1
Student, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
2
Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Poland
3
Cardiology Department, Medical Centre, Łańcut, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
The aim of this review is to analyze and evaluate the results of studies from the last six years regarding the therapeutic efficacy of SGLT-2 inhibitors – dapagliflozin and empagliflozin – in patients with heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF). The review includes a detailed discussion of the key studies in this field – DELIVER and EMPEROR-Preserved, Also described are new research directions that focus on understanding the metabolic effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the myocardium, and their impact on microcirculation.
Review methods:
A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases, using the inclusion criteria of ‘free full text’ and articles in English published between 2020 – 2025. A total of 139 records were found, of which 35 publications were ultimately included in the review.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT-2) inhibitors are anti-diabetic medications that also exhibit beneficial cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects. In 2023, the European Society of Cardiology (ECS) guidelines for HFpEF recommended dapagliflozin and empagliflozin as first-line treatments for this group of patients. Numerous randomized trials have confirmed that these medications reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death.
Summary:
Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are drugs that have recently revolutionized the treatment of HFpEF, benefitting a group of patients with previously limited therapeutic options. The positive impact of these drugs on the cardiovascular system opens up new therapeutic perspectives and is a current and important topic in the context of the development of modern cardiology.
The aim of this review is to analyze and evaluate the results of studies from the last six years regarding the therapeutic efficacy of SGLT-2 inhibitors – dapagliflozin and empagliflozin – in patients with heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF). The review includes a detailed discussion of the key studies in this field – DELIVER and EMPEROR-Preserved, Also described are new research directions that focus on understanding the metabolic effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the myocardium, and their impact on microcirculation.
Review methods:
A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases, using the inclusion criteria of ‘free full text’ and articles in English published between 2020 – 2025. A total of 139 records were found, of which 35 publications were ultimately included in the review.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT-2) inhibitors are anti-diabetic medications that also exhibit beneficial cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects. In 2023, the European Society of Cardiology (ECS) guidelines for HFpEF recommended dapagliflozin and empagliflozin as first-line treatments for this group of patients. Numerous randomized trials have confirmed that these medications reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death.
Summary:
Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are drugs that have recently revolutionized the treatment of HFpEF, benefitting a group of patients with previously limited therapeutic options. The positive impact of these drugs on the cardiovascular system opens up new therapeutic perspectives and is a current and important topic in the context of the development of modern cardiology.
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