Empagliflozin in Heart Failure With Predicted Preserved Versus Reduced Ejection Fraction: Data From the EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, ejection fraction (EF) data were not collected. In the subpopulation with heart failure (HF), we applied a new predictive model for EF to determine the effects of empagliflozin in HF with predicted reduced (HFrEF) vs preserved (HFpEF) EF vs no HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We applied a validated EF predictive model based on patient baseline characteristics and treatments to categorize patients with HF as being likely to have HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF)/HFrEF (EF <50%) or HFpEF (EF ≥50%). Cox regression was used to assess the effect of empagliflozin vs placebo on cardiovascular death/HF hospitalization (HHF), cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, and HHF in patients with predicted HFpEF, HFmrEF/HFrEF and no HF. Of 7001 EMPA-REG OUTCOME patients with data available for this analysis, 6314 (90%) had no history of HF. Of the 687 with history of HF, 479 (69.7%) were predicted to have HFmrEF/HFrEF and 208 (30.3%) to have HFpEF. Empagliflozin's treatment effect was consistent in predicted HFpEF, HFmrEF/HFrEF and no-HF for each outcome (HR [95% CI] for the primary outcome 0.60 [0.31-1.17], 0.79 [0.51-1.23], and 0.63 [0.50-0.78], respectively; P interaction = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: In EMPA-REG OUTCOME, one-third of the patients with HF had predicted HFpEF. The benefits of empagliflozin on HF and mortality outcomes were consistent in nonHF, predicted HFpEF and HFmrEF/HFrEF.

Effects of empagliflozin on insulin initiation or intensification in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Findings from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of empagliflozin versus placebo on subsequent insulin initiation or dosing changes in a large cardiovascular outcomes trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In EMPA-REG OUTCOME, 7020 patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease received empagliflozin 10 mg, 25 mg, or placebo. Median follow-up was 3.1 years. After 12 weeks of treatment, changes in background antihyperglycaemic therapy were permitted. Among insulin-naïve patients, we assessed the effects of pooled empagliflozin arms versus placebo on time to initiation of insulin. Among insulin-treated patients, we assessed effects on time to an increase or decrease in insulin dose of more than 20%. RESULTS: In 3633 (52%) participants not treated with insulin at baseline, empagliflozin reduced new use of insulin versus placebo by 60% (7.1% vs. 16.4%; adjusted HR 0.40 [95% CI 0.32-0.49]; P < .0001). In 3387 (48%) patients using insulin at baseline, empagliflozin reduced the need for a greater than 20% insulin dose increase by 58% (14.4% vs. 29.3%; adjusted HR 0.42 [95% CI 0.36-0.49]; P < .0001) and increased the proportion achieving sustained greater than 20% insulin dose reductions without subsequent increases in HbA1c compared with placebo (9.2% vs. 4.9%; adjusted HR 1.87 [95% CI: 1.39-2.51]; P < .0001). Sensitivity analyses confirmed consistent findings when insulin dose changes of more than 10% or more than 30% were considered. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, empagliflozin markedly and durably delays insulin initiation and substantial increases in insulin dose, while facilitating sustained reductions in insulin requirements over time.

Relationship between hypoglycaemia, cardiovascular outcomes, and empagliflozin treatment in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial.

AIMS: Hypoglycaemia, in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. In EMPA-REG OUTCOME, the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduced the risk of CV death by 38% and heart failure hospitalization (HHF) by 35%, while decreasing glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) without increasing hypoglycaemia. We investigated CV outcomes in patients with hypoglycaemia during the trial and the impact of hypoglycaemia on the treatment effect of empagliflozin. METHODS AND RESULTS: About 7020 patients with T2D (HbA1c 7-10%) were treated with empagliflozin 10 or 25 mg, or placebo and followed for median 3.1 years. The relationship between on-trial hypoglycaemia and CV outcomes, and effects of empagliflozin on outcomes by incident hypoglycaemia [HYPO-broad: symptomatic hypoglycaemia with plasma glucose (PG) ≤70 mg/dL, any hypoglycaemia with PG <54 mg/dL, or severe hypoglycaemia, and HYPO-strict: hypoglycaemia with PG <54 mg/dL, or severe hypoglycaemia] was investigated using adjusted Cox regression models with time-varying covariates for hypoglycaemia and interaction with treatment. HYPO-broad occurred in 28% in each group and HYPO-strict in 19%. In the placebo group, hypoglycaemia was associated with an increased risk of HHF for both HYPO-broad [hazard ratio (HR, 95% confidence interval, CI) 1.91 (1.25-2.93)] and HYPO-strict [1.72 (1.06-2.78)]. HYPO-broad (but not HYPO-strict) was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) [HR 1.56 (1.06-2.29)]. Empagliflozin improved CV outcomes, regardless of occurrence of hypoglycaemia (P-for interactions >0.05). CONCLUSION: In this post hoc exploratory analysis, hypoglycaemia was associated with an increased risk of HHF and MI. Hypoglycaemia risk was not increased with empagliflozin and incident hypoglycaemia did not attenuate its cardio-protective effects.

Empagliflozin Reduced Mortality and Hospitalization for Heart Failure Across the Spectrum of Cardiovascular Risk in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial (BI 10773 [Empagliflozin] Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, in comparison with placebo, empagliflozin reduced the risks of 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (3-point MACE), cardiovascular and all-cause death, and hospitalization for heart failure. We investigated whether these effects varied across the spectrum of baseline cardiovascular risk. METHODS: Cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, 3-point MACE, and hospitalization for heart failure in the pooled empagliflozin and placebo groups were analyzed in subgroups by prior myocardial infarction and stroke at baseline, and by estimated baseline cardiovascular risk based on the 10-point TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) Risk Score for Secondary Prevention. RESULTS: Of 7020 patients who received the study drug, 65% had a prior myocardial infarction or stroke, and 12%, 40%, 30%, and 18% were at low, intermediate, high, and highest estimated cardiovascular risk according to TIMI Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (≤2, 3, 4, and ≥5 points, respectively). In the placebo group, 3-point MACE occurred during the trial in 7.3%, 9.4%, 12.6%, and 20.6% of patients at low, intermediate, high, and highest estimated baseline risk, respectively. Relative reductions in risk of cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, 3-point MACE and hospitalization for heart failure with empagliflozin versus placebo were consistent in patients with and without prior myocardial infarction and/or stroke and across subgroups by TIMI Risk Score for Secondary Prevention at baseline ( P>0.05 for randomized group-by-subgroup interactions). CONCLUSIONS: Despite all patients having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, patients in EMPA-REG OUTCOME demonstrated a broad risk spectrum for cardiovascular events. Reductions in key cardiovascular outcomes and mortality with empagliflozin versus placebo were consistent across the range of cardiovascular risk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01131676.

Effect of Empagliflozin on Left Ventricular Mass in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Artery Disease: The EMPA-HEART CardioLink-6 Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors lower cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus but whether they promote direct cardiac effects remains unknown. We sought to determine if empagliflozin causes a decrease in left ventricular (LV) mass in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. METHODS: Between November 2016 and April 2018, we recruited 97 individuals ≥40 and ≤80 years old with glycated hemoglobin 6.5% to 10.0%, known coronary artery disease, and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60mL/min/1.73m2. The participants were randomized to empagliflozin (10 mg/day, n=49) or placebo (n=48) for 6 months, in addition to standard of care. The primary outcome was the 6-month change in LV mass indexed to body surface area from baseline as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Other measures included 6-month changes in LV end-diastolic and -systolic volumes indexed to body surface area, ejection fraction, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, hematocrit, and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide). RESULTS: Among the 97 participants (90 men [93%], mean [standard deviation] age 62.8 [9.0] years, type 2 diabetes mellitus duration 11.0 [8.2] years, estimated glomerular filtration rate 88.4 [16.9] mL/min/1.73m2, LV mass indexed to body surface area 60.7 [11.9] g/m2), 90 had evaluable imaging at follow-up. Mean LV mass indexed to body surface area regression over 6 months was 2.6 g/m2 and 0.01 g/m2 for those assigned empagliflozin and placebo, respectively (adjusted difference -3.35 g/m2; 95% CI, -5.9 to -0.81g/m2, P=0.01). In the empagliflozin-allocated group, there was significant lowering of overall ambulatory systolic blood pressure (adjusted difference -6.8mmHg, 95% CI -11.2 to -2.3mmHg, P=0.003), diastolic blood pressure (adjusted difference -3.2mmHg; 95% CI, -5.8 to -0.6mmHg, P=0.02) and elevation of hematocrit (P=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, SGLT2 inhibition with empagliflozin was associated with significant reduction in LV mass indexed to body surface area after 6 months, which may account in part for the beneficial cardiovascular outcomes observed in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME (BI 10773 [Empagliflozin] Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients) trial. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02998970.

Metabolic syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a post hoc analyses of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at greater cardiovascular risk than those with T2D without MetS. In the current report we aim to study the characteristics, cardio-renal outcomes and the effect of empagliflozin in patients with MetS enrolled in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. METHODS: A total of 7020 patients with T2D and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were treated with empagliflozin (10 mg or 25 mg) or placebo for a median of 3.1 years. The World Health Organization MetS criteria could be determined for 6985 (99.5%) patients. We assessed the association between baseline MetS and multiple cardio-renal endpoints using Cox regression models, and we studied the change in the individual component over time of the MetS using mixed effect models. RESULTS: MetS at baseline was present in 5740 (82%) patients; these were more often white and had more often albuminuria and heart failure, had lower eGFR and HDL-cholesterol, and higher blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, and triglycerides. In the placebo group, patients with MetS had a higher risk of all outcomes including cardiovascular death: HR = 1.73 (95% CI 1.01-2.98), heart failure hospitalization: HR = 2.64 (95% CI 1.22, 5.72), and new or worsening nephropathy: HR = 3.11 (95% CI 2.17-4.46). The beneficial effect of empagliflozin was consistent on all cardio-renal outcomes regardless of presence of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME population fulfills the criteria for MetS. Those with MetS had increased risk of adverse cardio-renal outcomes. Compared with placebo, empagliflozin improved cardio-renal outcomes in patients with and without MetS. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01131676.

Are the cardiovascular and kidney benefits of empagliflozin influenced by baseline glucose-lowering therapy?

AIMS: In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial, the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin when given in addition to standard care improved cardiovascular (CV) and renal outcomes, and reduced mortality. Trial participants were on a variety of glucose-lowering therapies at baseline, some of which could potentially affect CV risk. This analysis investigated whether the use of background diabetes therapy affected the risk of CV death, hospitalizations for heart failure, and progression of chronic kidney disease, among patients treated with empagliflozin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized to placebo, empagliflozin 10 mg or empagliflozin 25 mg; glucose-lowering therapy was to remain unchanged for 12 weeks and then adjusted to achieve glycaemic control according to local guidelines. Differences in risk of cardio-renal outcomes between empagliflozin and placebo by baseline use of metformin, sulphonylurea (SU) and insulin were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Of 7020 eligible patients, 74% were receiving metformin, 43% SU and 48% insulin at baseline (each alone or in combination); the most common regimens were metformin plus SU (20%) and metformin plus insulin (20%). Empagliflozin reduced the risk of CV death irrespective of the use of: metformin [with: hazard ratio (HR) 0.71 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.54-0.94); without: 0.46 (0.32-0.68); Pinteraction = 0.07]; SU [with: HR 0.64 (0.44-0.92); without: 0.61 (0.46-0.81); Pinteraction = 0.85]; or insulin [with: HR 0.63 (0.46-0.85); without: 0.61 (0.44-0.85); Pinteraction = 0.92]. Reductions in three-point major adverse CV events, hospitalizations for heart failure, and all-cause mortality were consistent across subgroups of baseline therapies. Empagliflozin reduced the risks of incident or worsening nephropathy versus placebo irrespective of the use of SU or insulin at baseline (Pinteraction > 0.05), but there was a greater reduction in this risk for patients not using metformin [HR 0.47 (95% CI 0.37-0.59)] versus those using metformin [HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.58-0.79)] at baseline (Pinteraction = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of empagliflozin to antihyperglycaemic regimens of patients with type 2 diabetes and CV disease consistently reduced their risks of adverse CV outcomes and mortality irrespective of baseline use of metformin, SU or insulin. For chronic kidney disease progression, there may be a larger benefit from empagliflozin in those patients who are not using metformin.

Can the cardiovascular risk reductions observed with empagliflozin in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial be explained by concomitant changes seen in conventional cardiovascular risk factor levels?

AIM: To perform post-hoc analyses of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial examining the degree to which empagliflozin-induced changes in conventional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors might explain the observed CV benefits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We estimated 3-year EMPA-REG OUTCOME CV event rates using a type 2 diabetes-specific clinical outcomes simulation model applied to annual patient-level data. Variables included were atrial fibrillation, smoking, albuminuria, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, heart rate, white cell count, haemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and histories of ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, amputation, blindness, renal failure, stroke, myocardial infarction or diabetic ulcer. Multiple simulations were performed for each participant to minimize uncertainty and optimize confidence interval precision around CV risk point estimates. Observed and simulated cardiovascular relative risk reductions were compared. RESULTS: Model-predicted relative risk reductions were smaller than those observed in the trial, with empagliflozin-associated changes in conventional CV risk factor values appearing to explain only 12% of the observed relative risk reduction for all-cause death (4% of 32%), 7% for CV death (3% of 39%) and 15% for heart failure (4% of 29%). CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin-associated changes in conventional CV risk factors in EMPA-REG OUTCOME appear to explain only a small proportion of the CV and all-cause death reductions observed. Alternative risk-reduction mechanisms need to be explored to determine if the observed CV risk changes can be explained by other factors, or possibly by a direct drug-specific effect.

Empagliflozin reduces the risk of mortality and hospitalization for heart failure across Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Heart Failure in Diabetes categories: Post hoc analysis of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial.

AIM: To investigate the association of the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Risk Score for Heart Failure in Diabetes (TRS-HFDM ) with mortality using data from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In EMPA-REG OUTCOME, patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease (N = 7020) received the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, 10 or 25 mg or placebo. Post hoc, patients were stratified into risk categories (low-intermediate, high, very-high risk scores) using baseline TRS-HFDM . Cox regression analyses evaluated the association of TRS-HFDM categories with all-cause mortality (ACM), CV death, hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and CV death (excluding fatal stroke) or HHF, and whether empagliflozin reduced the risk of CV outcomes across these risk categories. RESULTS: In placebo patients, increasing risk category was associated with a higher risk of ACM, CV death, and HHF. Empagliflozin reduced the risk of ACM (low-intermediate HR 0.68 [95% CI 0.48, 0.97] and very-high 0.69 [0.52, 0.91]), CV death (0.75 [0.48, 1.18] and 0.56 [0.41, 0.78]), HHF (0.53 [0.28, 1.01] and 0.67 [0.48, 0.96]), and CV death or HHF (0.69 [0.46, 1.03]) and (0.64 [0.49, 0.82]) across all risk categories versus placebo. Higher absolute risk reductions (ARRs) were observed for CV death in the very-high versus low-intermediate category (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Applied to EMPA-REG OUTCOME, higher TRS-HFDM was associated with increased HHF and mortality risk. Empagliflozin reduced CV outcomes across TRS-HFDM categories. Higher ARRs were associated with higher risk scores.

Association between uric acid levels and cardio-renal outcomes and death in patients with type 2 diabetes: A subanalysis of EMPA-REG OUTCOME.

In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, we explored the association between pre-randomization uric acid level tertile (<309.30 µmol/L; 309.30 to <387.21 µmol/L; ≥387.21 µmol/L) and cardiovascular (CV) death, hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), HHF or CV death, all-cause mortality, three-point major adverse CV events (MACE), and incident or worsening nephropathy. Patients with type 2 diabetes and CV disease received empagliflozin or placebo. The median baseline plasma uric acid level was 344.98 µmol/L, and patients' baseline characteristics were mainly balanced across tertiles. Baseline uric acid levels were associated with cardio-renal outcomes: in the placebo group, for the highest versus lowest tertile, the multivariable hazard ratios for three-point MACE, HHF or CV death, and incident or worsening nephropathy were 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-1.67; P = 0.2088), 1.51 (95% CI 1.02-2.23; P = 0.0396) and 1.77 (95% CI 1.33-2.34; P < 0.0001), respectively. When tested as a continuous variable, baseline uric acid was associated with all outcomes in the placebo group. Empagliflozin improved all cardio-renal outcomes across tertiles, with all interaction P values >0.05. Further investigation of these relationships is required.

Empagliflozin and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Established Cardiovascular Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial (Empagliflozin Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients). Urinary glucose excretion with empagliflozin decreases with declining renal function, resulting in less potency for glucose lowering in patients with kidney disease. We investigated the effects of empagliflozin on clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL·min-1·1.73 m-2 at screening were randomized to receive empagliflozin 10 mg, empagliflozin 25 mg, or placebo once daily in addition to standard of care. We analyzed cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause hospitalization, and all-cause mortality in patients with prevalent kidney disease (defined as eGFR <60 mL·min-1·1.73 m-2 and/or urine albumin-creatinine ratio >300 mg/g) at baseline. Additional analyses were performed in subgroups by baseline eGFR (<45, 45-<60, 60-<90, ≥90 mL·min-1·1.73 m-2) and baseline urine albumin-creatinine ratio (>300, 30-≤300, <30 mg/g). RESULTS: Of 7020 patients treated, 2250 patients had prevalent kidney disease at baseline, of whom 67% had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus for >10 years, 58% were receiving insulin, and 84% were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. In patients with prevalent kidney disease at baseline, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 29% compared with placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.98), the risk of all-cause mortality by 24% (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.99), the risk of hospitalization for heart failure by 39% (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42-0.87), and the risk of all-cause hospitalization by 19% (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72-0.92). Effects of empagliflozin on these outcomes were consistent across categories of eGFR and urine albumin-creatinine ratio at baseline and across the 2 doses studied. The adverse event profile of empagliflozin in patients with eGFR <60 mL·min-1·1.73 m-2 was consistent with the overall trial population. CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality in vulnerable patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01131676.

Empagliflozin and Progression of Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes confers an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular and renal events. In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular events. We wanted to determine the long-term renal effects of empagliflozin, an analysis that was a prespecified component of the secondary microvascular outcome of that trial. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 30 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) of body-surface area to receive either empagliflozin (at a dose of 10 mg or 25 mg) or placebo once daily. Prespecified renal outcomes included incident or worsening nephropathy (progression to macroalbuminuria, doubling of the serum creatinine level, initiation of renal-replacement therapy, or death from renal disease) and incident albuminuria. RESULTS: Incident or worsening nephropathy occurred in 525 of 4124 patients (12.7%) in the empagliflozin group and in 388 of 2061 (18.8%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio in the empagliflozin group, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.53 to 0.70; P<0.001). Doubling of the serum creatinine level occurred in 70 of 4645 patients (1.5%) in the empagliflozin group and in 60 of 2323 (2.6%) in the placebo group, a significant relative risk reduction of 44%. Renal-replacement therapy was initiated in 13 of 4687 patients (0.3%) in the empagliflozin group and in 14 of 2333 patients (0.6%) in the placebo group, representing a 55% lower relative risk in the empagliflozin group. There was no significant between-group difference in the rate of incident albuminuria. The adverse-event profile of empagliflozin in patients with impaired kidney function at baseline was similar to that reported in the overall trial population. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk, empagliflozin was associated with slower progression of kidney disease and lower rates of clinically relevant renal events than was placebo when added to standard care. (Funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company Diabetes Alliance; EMPA-REG OUTCOME ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01131676.).

A safety update on sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are the first class of glucose lowering agent to be shown to reduce cardiovascular events. They are generally well tolerated with infrequent serious adverse events. The most frequent side effect is genital mycotic infections with candida species that are usually mild to moderate in severity, easily treated and infrequently recur. Urinary tract infections, although common in patients with diabetes, have not been shown to be increased in controlled studies with SGLT2i. Hypoglycaemia can occur when an SGLT2i is added to agents that cause hypoglycaemia, such as insulin or sulphonylureas. Volume depletion and hypotension is infrequent and can be minimized by adjusting diuretic and antihypertensive treatment in patients at risk. Acute renal failure or kidney injury was observed in early observational studies. However, in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and in more recent observational studies a decreased incidence of acute kidney injury was observed in SGLT2-treated patients compared to those receiving either placebo or another class of glucose lowering agents. An increased incidence of amputation (largely feet and toes) was observed in the RCT with canagliflozin but not with the other SGLT2i. Observational studies have shown either an increased risk of amputation with other agents whereas another study showed no increase. Although the increased risk of amputation is very low, avoidance of SGLT2i in patients at high risk seems prudent. Increased incidence of fractures was observed with canagliflozin but not with SGLT2i nor in a meta-analysis that included canagliflozin, empagliflozin and dapagliflozin. No increased incidence of cancer has been observed in either RCTs or observational studies.

Efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in older patients in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial.

OBJECTIVE: The risks of cardio-renal complications of diabetes increase with age. In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial, empagliflozin reduced cardiovascular (CV) mortality by 38% in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CV disease. Here we compare outcomes with empagliflozin in older patients in EMPA-REG OUTCOME. METHODS: Patients with T2D and CV disease were randomised to empagliflozin 10 or 25 mg, or placebo plus standard of care. In post hoc analyses, risks of 3-point major adverse CV events (3P-MACE: composite of CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or non-fatal stroke), CV death, hospitalisation for heart failure, all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalisation and incident/worsening nephropathy were evaluated for empagliflozin versus placebo by baseline age (<65, 65 to <75, ≥75 years). Adverse events (AEs) were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Effect of empagliflozin on all outcomes was consistent across age categories (P ≥ 0.05 for interactions) except 3P-MACE. The 3P-MACE hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84, 1.29), 0.74 (0.58, 0.93) and 0.68 (0.46, 1.00) in patients aged <65, 65 to <75, and ≥75 years, respectively (P = 0.047 for treatment-by-age group interaction). Corresponding CV death HRs were 0.72 (95% CI 0.52, 1.01), 0.54 (0.37, 0.79) and 0.55 (0.32, 0.94), respectively (P = 0.484 for treatment-by-age group interaction). Across age categories, empagliflozin AEs reflected its known safety profile. Rates of bone fractures, renal AEs and diabetic ketoacidosis were similar between empagliflozin and placebo across age categories. CONCLUSIONS: In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin reduced risks of CV mortality, heart failure and renal outcomes, supporting its cardio-renal benefits in older patients.

Effects of empagliflozin on risk for cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization across the spectrum of heart failure risk in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial.

Aims: Empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established CV disease (CVD) in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial. We investigated whether the benefit of empagliflozin was observed across the spectrum of HF risk. Methods and results: Seven thousand and twenty patients with T2D (HbA1c 7-10% and eGFR > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) were treated with empagliflozin 10 or 25 mg, or placebo once daily and followed for median 3.1 years. In patients without HF at baseline (89.9%), we derived the 5-year risk for incident HF using the 9-variable Health ABC HF Risk score [classified as low-to-average (<10%), high (10-20%), and very high (≥ 20%)]. Overall, 67.2% of the population had low-to-average, 24.2% high, and 5.1% very high 5-year HF risk. Across these groups, the effect on CV death and HF hospitalization with empagliflozin was consistent [hazard ratio 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.52, 0.96), 0.52 (0.36, 0.75), and 0.55 (0.30, 1.00), respectively]. Effects on CV death in the ostensibly highest HF risk group (HF at baseline and/or incident HF during the trial) in whom 37.9% of the overall CV deaths occurred, was also beneficial [0.67 (0.47, 0.97)], yet, similar benefits were seen in the lower risk patients. Conclusion: In patients with T2D and established CVD, a sizeable proportion without HF at baseline are at high or very high risk for HF outcomes, indicating the need for active case finding in this patient population. Empagliflozin consistently improved HF outcomes both in patients at low or high HF risk.

Empagliflozin is associated with improvements in liver enzymes potentially consistent with reductions in liver fat: results from randomised trials including the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In addition to beneficial effects on glycaemia and cardiovascular death, empagliflozin improves adiposity indices. We investigated the effect of empagliflozin on aminotransferases (correlates of liver fat) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Changes from baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial (n = 7020), pooled data from four 24-week placebo-controlled trials (n = 2477) and a trial of empagliflozin vs glimepiride over 104 weeks (n = 1545). Analyses were performed using data from all participants and by tertiles of baseline aminotransferases. RESULTS: In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial, mean ± SE changes from baseline ALT at week 28 were -2.96 ± 0.18 and -0.73 ± 0.25 U/l with empagliflozin and placebo, respectively (adjusted mean difference: -2.22 [95% CI -2.83, -1.62]; p < 0.0001). Reductions in ALT were greatest in the highest ALT tertile (placebo-adjusted mean difference at week 28: -4.36 U/l [95% CI -5.51, -3.21]; p < 0.0001). The adjusted mean difference in change in ALT was -3.15 U/l (95% CI -4.11, -2.18) with empagliflozin vs placebo at week 24 in pooled 24-week data, and -4.88 U/l (95% CI -6.68, -3.09) with empagliflozin vs glimepiride at week 28. ALT reductions were largely independent of changes in weight or HbA1c. AST changes showed similar patterns to ALT, but the reductions were considerably lower. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These highly consistent results suggest that empagliflozin reduces aminotransferases in individuals with type 2 diabetes, in a pattern (reductions in ALT>AST) that is potentially consistent with a reduction in liver fat, especially when ALT levels are high.

Empagliflozin reduces cardiovascular events, mortality and renal events in participants with type 2 diabetes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: subanalysis of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® randomised trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: After coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in individuals with type 2 diabetes, there remains a considerable residual cardiovascular risk. In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial in participants with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 38%, all-cause mortality by 32%, hospitalisation for heart failure by 35% and incident or worsening nephropathy by 39% vs placebo when given in addition to standard of care. The aim of this post hoc analysis of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial was to determine the effects of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin on cardiovascular events and mortality in participants with type 2 diabetes and a self-reported history of CABG surgery. METHODS: The EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease were randomised 1:1:1 to receive placebo, empagliflozin 10 mg or empagliflozin 25 mg, once daily, in addition to standard of care. In subgroups by self-reported history of CABG (yes/no) at baseline, we assessed: cardiovascular death; all-cause mortality; hospitalisation for heart failure; and incident or worsening nephropathy (progression to macroalbuminuria, doubling of serum creatinine, initiation of renal replacement therapy or death due to renal disease). Differences in risk between empagliflozin and placebo were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: At baseline, 25% (1175/4687) of participants who received empagliflozin and 24% (563/2333) of participants who received placebo had a history of CABG surgery. In participants with a history of CABG surgery, HRs (95% CI) with empagliflozin vs placebo were 0.52 (0.32, 0.84) for cardiovascular mortality, 0.57 (0.39, 0.83) for all-cause mortality, 0.50 (0.32, 0.77) for hospitalisation for heart failure and 0.65 (0.50, 0.84) for incident or worsening nephropathy. Results were consistent between participants with and without a history of CABG surgery (p > 0.05 for treatment by subgroup interactions). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In participants with type 2 diabetes and a self-reported history of CABG surgery, treatment with empagliflozin was associated with profound reductions in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hospitalisation for heart failure, and incident or worsening nephropathy. These data have important implications for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events after CABG in individuals with type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01131676.

Empagliflozin in women with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - an analysis of EMPA-REG OUTCOME®.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes affects women and men equally; however, the relative impact on the cardiovascular (CV) system appears greater for women than men when compared with peers without diabetes. Furthermore, women are often under-represented in CV outcome trials, resulting in less certainty about the impact of CV prevention therapies across the sexes. The EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial, which included 28.5% women, found that empagliflozin, given in addition to standard of care, reduced the risk of CV death by 38%, heart failure (HF) hospitalisation by 35% and a composite endpoint for incident or worsening nephropathy by 39%. Here we report a secondary analysis of the trial to determine the relative effects of empagliflozin in women vs men. METHODS: The population studied were individuals with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 53-86 mmol/mol [7-10%] and eGFR >30 ml min-1 [1.73 m]-2), with established atherosclerotic CV disease. Individuals were randomised to receive empagliflozin 10 mg or 25 mg, or placebo once daily in addition to standard of care, and followed. The trial continued until ≥691 individuals had experienced an adjudicated event included in the primary outcome. All CV outcome events, including HF hospitalisations and deaths were prospectively adjudicated by blinded clinical events committees. RESULTS: At baseline, the demographic profile of the 2004 women (age ± standard deviation 63.6 ± 8.8 years) compared with the 5016 men (age 63.0 ± 8.6 years) in the trial was largely similar, with the exception that LDL-cholesterol was numerically higher in women (2.5 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.9 mmol/l), consistent with lower rates of lipid-lowering therapies (75.4% vs 83.2%). Women were also less likely to have smoked (31.5% vs 69.9%). The annualised incidence rate for women in the placebo group was numerically lower than in men for CV death (1.58% vs 2.19%), numerically higher for HF hospitalisation (1.75% vs 1.33%) and similar for renal events (7.22% vs 7.75%). We did not detect any effect modification by sex within the statistical power restrictions of the analysis for CV death, HF hospitalisation and incident or worsening nephropathy (interaction p values 0.32, 0.20 and 0.85, respectively). Compared with placebo, empagliflozin increased the rates of genital infections in both women (2.5% vs 10.0%) and men (1.5% vs 2.6%). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: CV death, HF hospitalisation and incident or worsening nephropathy rate reductions induced by empagliflozin were not different between women and men.

Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The effects of empagliflozin, an inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, in addition to standard care, on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk are not known. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients to receive 10 mg or 25 mg of empagliflozin or placebo once daily. The primary composite outcome was death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, as analyzed in the pooled empagliflozin group versus the placebo group. The key secondary composite outcome was the primary outcome plus hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: A total of 7020 patients were treated (median observation time, 3.1 years). The primary outcome occurred in 490 of 4687 patients (10.5%) in the pooled empagliflozin group and in 282 of 2333 patients (12.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio in the empagliflozin group, 0.86; 95.02% confidence interval, 0.74 to 0.99; P=0.04 for superiority). There were no significant between-group differences in the rates of myocardial infarction or stroke, but in the empagliflozin group there were significantly lower rates of death from cardiovascular causes (3.7%, vs. 5.9% in the placebo group; 38% relative risk reduction), hospitalization for heart failure (2.7% and 4.1%, respectively; 35% relative risk reduction), and death from any cause (5.7% and 8.3%, respectively; 32% relative risk reduction). There was no significant between-group difference in the key secondary outcome (P=0.08 for superiority). Among patients receiving empagliflozin, there was an increased rate of genital infection but no increase in other adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular events who received empagliflozin, as compared with placebo, had a lower rate of the primary composite cardiovascular outcome and of death from any cause when the study drug was added to standard care. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly; EMPA-REG OUTCOME ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01131676.).

Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: Cardiovascular and Kidney Effects, Potential Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, including empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin, are now widely approved antihyperglycemic therapies. Because of their unique glycosuric mechanism, SGLT2 inhibitors also reduce weight. Perhaps more important are the osmotic diuretic and natriuretic effects contributing to plasma volume contraction, and decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures by 4 to 6 and 1 to 2 mm Hg, respectively, which may underlie cardiovascular and kidney benefits. SGLT2 inhibition also is associated with an acute, dose-dependent reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate by ≈5 mL·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) and ≈30% to 40% reduction in albuminuria. These effects mirror preclinical observations suggesting that proximal tubular natriuresis activates renal tubuloglomerular feedback through increased macula densa sodium and chloride delivery, leading to afferent vasoconstriction. On the basis of reduced glomerular filtration, glycosuric and weight loss effects are attenuated in patients with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2)). In contrast, blood pressure lowering, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and albuminuric effects are preserved, and perhaps exaggerated in chronic kidney disease. With regard to long-term clinical outcomes, the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial (Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease randomly assigned to empagliflozin versus placebo reported a 14% reduction in the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and >30% reductions in cardiovascular mortality, overall mortality, and heart failure hospitalizations associated with empagliflozin, even though, by design, the hemoglobin A1c difference between the randomized groups was marginal. Aside from an increased risk of mycotic genital infections, empagliflozin-treated patients had fewer serious adverse events, including a lower risk of acute kidney injury. In light of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME results, some diabetes clinical practice guidelines now recommend that SGLT2 inhibitors with proven cardiovascular benefit be prioritized in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have not achieved glycemic targets and who have prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. With additional cardiorenal protection trials underway, sodium-related physiological effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and clinical correlates of natriuresis, such as the impact on blood pressure, heart failure, kidney protection, and mortality, will be a major management focus.