Efficacy and Safety of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure: Observational Evidence in Geriatric Patients AGING-HF

Abstract

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown beneficial effects in heart failure (HF) management, but data on their use in geriatric populations with high comorbidity remain limited. This observational study aimed to assess the real-world efficacy and safety of SGLT2i in elderly patients with HF.

Methods: This prospective multicenter study included 496 patients hospitalized for acute heart failure across 3 geriatric units. The mean age was 90 years, and the mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 8.2. Participants were divided into 2 groups: the SGLT2i group (n=260) receiving SGLT2i (empagliflozin or dapagliflozin) alongside standard HF treatment, and the Control group (n=236) receiving only standard HF treatment. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, HF rehospitalizations, and adverse events over 1 year.

Results: SGLT2i use was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.46-0.98]; P=0.031), HF rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.42-0.97]; P=0.037), and the composite outcome (hazard ratio, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.44-0.82]; P=0.001) at 1 year, after multivariable adjustment. No significant interaction was observed between left ventricular ejection fraction status and SGLT2i use (P for interaction=0.12). Although urinary and genital infections were more frequently reported in the SGLT2i group, treatment discontinuation remained low (2.7%).

Conclusions: In this elderly population with high comorbidity, SGLT2i therapy was associated with substantial reductions in mortality and HF rehospitalization, and showed good tolerability and an acceptable safety profile.

Keywords: aged; comorbidity; glucose; heart failure; sodium.