Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors for the treatment of cardio-renal syndrome

Abstract

The 2021 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology on the diagnosis and therapy of heart failure (HF) introduced relevant changes in the pharmacological treatment of chronic HF. Among these, certainly the most significant was the introduction in the therapeutic flow-chart (with the highest recommendation level) of the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. In fact, SGLT2 inhibitors are responsible for major paradigm shifts in the care of patients with or at high risk for HF, progression of chronic kidney disease, or both. SGLT2 inhibition demonstrated to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with HF over a wide range of ejection fractions, regardless of diabetic status, and have a strong nephroprotective effect. There are several important interactions between heart disease and kidneys disease. Indeed, acute or chronic dysfunction of the heart or kidneys can induce acute or chronic dysfunction in the other organ. The term 'cardiorenal syndrome' has been applied to these interactions. Since kidneys dysfunction in the setting of HF has a strong prognostic relevance, drugs that can slow down the decline of renal function are of utmost importance. Here, we discuss about the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the kidneys function in patients with HF and how these effects can improve both renal and cardiovascular outcomes.

Keywords: Cardio-renal syndrome; Heart failure; Nephroprotection; Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.

Figure 1

Non-renal mechanisms of action of gliflozins.