Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Cardiovascular conditions are major concerns globally. Patients with CKD are at an increased risk of heart failure and inversely, patients with heart conditions have a declined renal function. Although medications are available to treat both conditions, they remain associated with a significant rate of morbidity and mortality. 

SGLT2 inhibitor reduces the risk of both conditions by slowing the progression of CKD and deterring the hospitalization rates in the case of heart failure. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were seen to have improved cardiovascular and renal functions in patients with type 2 diabetes that were originally used as a glucose-lowering agent. Hence, clinical trials were conducted to determine the cardiovascular and kidney protective effects in subjects with CKD or heart failure. 

Conclusively, the results of the study highlighted the benefits of the SGLT2 inhibitor including a consistent pattern among the different subgroup populations including those who may/may not have the pre-diagnosed condition of Diabetes, different stages of CKD, heart failure, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.SGLT2 inhibitor also reduced the risk of developing common comorbidities anemia, and hyperkalaemia associated with heart failure and CKD. The study also established the safety profile of the SGLT2 inhibitor. The researchers also observed a decrease in the risk of developing hyperglycemia and associated acute kidney failure. As the SGLT2i is initiated, the glomerular filtration rate is reduced highlighting its renal hemodynamic effect. However, this is not associated with the increased risk of acute kidney injury or loss of kidney function.

van der Aart-van der Beek et al., Nat Rev Nephrol 18, 294–306 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-022-00535-6