Cardiovascular Protection with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Milestone Achieved

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease are intimately linked. They share major risk factors, including age, hypertension, and diabetes, and common pathogenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, reduced renal function and kidney injury documented with albuminuria are independent risk factors for cardiovascular events and mortality. In major renal outcome trials and subsequent meta-analyses in patients with CKD, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) were shown to effectively retard CKD progression but not to significantly reduce cardiovascular events or mortality. Thus, a high residual risk for cardiovascular disease progression under standard-of-care treatment is still present for patients with CKD. In contrast to the above, several outcome trials with SGLT-2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitors and MRAs (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) clearly suggest that these agents, apart from nephroprotection, offer important cardioprotection in this population. This article discusses existing evidence on the effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors and MRAs on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD that open new roads in cardiovascular protection of this heavily burdened population.