In a recent publication in Cureus, researchers conducted a review to compile the results of meta-analyses on the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in treating HF patients.

The authors wrote, “The objective of this umbrella review is to summarize the results of meta-analyses on the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure patients and to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of these drugs in this population.”

The authors conducted a literature search using five databases that included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and Science Direct for articles with full texts available online. The search was performed for articles published from inception until January 30, 2023, and the type of studies to be found were limited to systematic reviews with meta-analyses.

Meta-analyses of five or more randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were incorporated, and the evaluation of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) was employed to evaluate the quality of included studies. A systematic search discovered 10 relevant meta-analyses of RCTs, with primary analyses including outcome data from 171,556 HF patients.

The authors indicated that the combined findings revealed that SGLT-2 inhibitors are associated with significantly lower rates of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization in patients with HF, cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and HF-hospitalization outcomes; however, two meta-analyses revealed no significant variances in cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality outcomes between SGLT-2 inhibitors and placebo.

The authors also indicated that the findings from their review provided a detailed summary of the available research and clinical data, which is beneficial to policymakers and healthcare professionals in making decisions about the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the treatment of HF.

Based on their findings, the authors wrote, “Overall, our review of the literature shows that SGLT-2 inhibitors can reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and heart failure hospitalization when used in the treatment of heart failure. Most meta-analysis studies support the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure as SGLT-2 inhibitors are also linked with reduced serious adverse effects; however, its use in patients with severely impaired renal function remains an enigma.”

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