The position of SGLT2 inhibitors in current medicine

Cardiovascular disease is still the most common cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Some prospective studies have produced unexpected results in connection with the requirements for the demonstration of cardiovascular safety of new antidiabetics, which have significantly expanded the treatment options for diabetes over the past 20 years. Although these studies were statistically designed to exclude excessive cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes, some drugs have shown not only cardiovascular safety but also significant cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects in these studies. For the first time, a reduction in cardiovascular and overall mortality was demonstrated for the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial in patients at very high cardiovascular risk. We already know that a beneficial effect on the risk of heart failure, but also renal failure, is a class effect in gliflozins. The revolutionary benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors are now perceived not only by diabetologists, but also by cardiologists and nephrologists. In European Society of Cardiology clinical guidelines, gliflozins even endanger the still unshakable position of metformin as the first line of antidiabetic therapy in patients with very high cardiovascular risk. Their indication should be today considered in all patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, cardiac and renal failure regardless of diabetes control because they can reduce cardiovascular risk, risk of hospitalizations for heart failure and preserve glomerular filtration rate.

Keywords: SGLT2 inhibitors, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, heart failure, chronic kidney disease.