Effect of Empagliflozin on Heart Failure–Related Events in Symptomatic Patients

A deeper dive into the EMPEROR trial results clarifies the impact of empagliflozin on outcomes in symptomatic patients with preserved ejection fraction.

The industry-funded EMPEROR-Preserved trial (NCT03057951) demonstrated a significant benefit of the sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) empagliflozin with respect to cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in a population of 5988 individuals with symptomatic heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] >40%). The current analysis focused on HF-related events.

After a median follow-up of 26 months, empagliflozin reduced the risk for the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization, or urgent visits for HF requiring intravenous therapy compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.77). A statistically significant benefit became apparent 18 days after …

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)