Investigation of differential response to SGLT2 inhibition in HF.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of predictors of differential response to Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibition and associated underlying mechanisms across various phenotypes of heart failure.
IRAS ID
317827
Contact name
Chris Watson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queens University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition which affects a large, growing portion of the population. Despite current treatments, it is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are varying types of HF however most of our current treatments are confined to HF where the pumping action of the heart is “impaired”. Indeed, in HF where the pumping action of the heart is “preserved”, we have no drugs which reduce mortality. SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of drug which have recently been shown in large clinical trials to help patients with heart disease live longer with early signals that they may be the first drug to work across all types of heart failure – something which could revolutionise HF treatment.
Interestingly, there is some evidence that different patients may get more benefit from this drug. Unfortunately, our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of this drug class are limited nor do we know how it directly affects the heart. Indeed, there is a notable lack of research using heart imaging techniques (using echocardiography and cardiac MRI) evaluating directly how SGLT2 inhibitors affect the heart.
Our research seeks to understand in greater detail, how SGLT2 inhibitors improve heart function in patients with all types of HF and if we can identify patients who will receive greater benefit from this drug. We hope to do this using cardiac imaging (echocardiography and cardiac MRI) to evaluate its direct effects on heart muscle, blood and saliva biomarkers analysis and measures of clinical function.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0348
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion