Switch to SGLT2 Inhibitors and Improved Endothelial Function in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Purpose The use of sodium-glucose-cotransporter-type- 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) was associated in previous studies with an improved vascular function in non-human experimental models. We therefore sought to evaluate possible changes in endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), switching from other oral hypoglycemic agents to SGLT2i in an observational study. Methods Twenty-two consecutive outpatients with CHF and T2DM were enrolled after switching to SGLT2i therapy, and compared with 23 consecutive controls from the same registry comparable for principal clinical characteristics. In all patients, endothelial function was assessed by FMD at baseline and after 3 months of follow-up. Results Three months of therapy with SGLT2i were associated with a statistically significant improvement in endothelial function (19.0 +/- 5.7% vs 8.5 +/- 4.1%, p < 0.0001); baseline levels of FMD were comparable between groups (p n.s.). Therapy with SGLT2i was significantly associated to improved FMD levels even at multivariable stepwise regression analysis (p < 0.001). Conclusions Switch to SGLT2i in patients with CHF and T2DM was associated in an observational non-randomized study with an improved endothelial function.