A Systematic Review of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors in the Management of Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Analysis of Cardiovascular Outcomes, Hospitalizations, and Quality of Life

Abstract

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have increasingly established themselves as a vital therapeutic option for heart failure across various levels of left ventricular ejection fraction. Recent studies and clinical trials have shown a significant reduction in adverse cardiovascular events and hospitalization rates among patients with heart failure who are treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. However, the long-term implications of these medications for patient survival in heart failure remain uncertain. The primary aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in managing heart failure, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular outcomes, hospitalization rates, and quality of life. A systematic search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and CINAHL, to identify high-quality, relevant peer-reviewed studies on SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure patients. In total, 2,142 records were identified from these databases. After screening, only the records that met the inclusion criteria were retained. Data extraction and analysis were performed by two independent reviewers. Following the screening process, 15 out of the 2,142 studies were included in the final review. These studies demonstrated the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in supporting long-term survival by improving cardiovascular outcomes, reducing hospitalization rates, and enhancing quality of life. Three key themes emerged from the research: cardiovascular outcomes (five studies), hospitalization rates (five studies), and quality of life (five studies). Overall, SGLT2 inhibitors are effective in the management of heart failure and contribute positively to the long-term survival of patients. They improve cardiovascular outcomes, decrease hospitalization rates, and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with heart failure. Nevertheless, additional research with longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes is needed to establish definitive conclusions regarding the long-term efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors for survival.