How Many Patients with Heart Failure Take SGLT-2 Inhibitors?

Prescriptions in U.S. cardiovascular ambulatory clinics have increased, but there's plenty room for improvement.

In the last 5 years, SGLT-2 inhibitors have emerged as effective therapies to reduce morbidity and mortality among individuals with heart failure (HF) and either reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or mildly reduced (HFmrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). To assess current patterns of SGLT-2 inhibitor prescription, researchers queried a database with almost 800,000 individuals (14.6% Black, >80% with private insurance) seen at 191 U.S. cardiovascular clinics between 2019 and 2023.

Main findings:

SGLT-2 inhibitor prescription rates among individuals without a documented contraindication increased significantly from 5% to 16% and were higher for those with HFrEF (5% in 2019 to 29% in 2023) than for those with HFmrEF/HFpEF (5% to13%).
Pres…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, MACC, 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)