[Dapagliflozin in the prevention and treatment of heart failure]. / Dapagliflozina en la prevención y tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardiaca.

To substantially reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among subjects with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, it is necessary to make a comprehensive approach of the different neurohormonal systems that are implied in its etiopathogenesis, including not only sympathetic nervous system, and renin-angiotensin system, but also vasoactive peptides and sodium-glucose transport protein 2. The DAPA-HF trial demonstrated that the addition of dapagliflozin to the standard treatment in HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, markedly decreases the risk of cardiovascular death, HF hospitalization and overall death. In addition, dapagliflozin improves functional class and quality of life. Importantly, the prognostic benefit starts early after initiating treatment with dapagliflozin, regardless baseline therapy or the presence of diabetes. All these evidences make dapagliflozin as one of the mainstays of treatment for the management of HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

[Practical approach of dapagliflozin for the treatment of heart failure. Role of primary care physician]. / Abordaje práctico de dapagliflozina en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca. Papel del médico de atención primaria.

Despite traditional treatments, morbidity and mortality of patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction remains unacceptably high. Traditionally, guidelines recommended a step by step approach in the management of this population. However, this approach could delay the prescription of some drugs with proven efficacy on morbidity and prognosis. As current HF guidelines recommend, an initial comprehensive approach with the aim of targeting all neurohormonal systems that are implied in the etiopathogenesis of HF seems necessary. The DAPA-HF trial demonstrated that dapagliflozin markedly reduces the risk of HF hospitalization, and also improves prognosis. Consequently, dapagliflozin should be considered as a first-line therapy in the management of these patients. On the other hand, primary care physicians are essential for the prevention and treatment of patients with HF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. As a result, it is mandatory that they know when and how dapagliflozin should be used. In this review, a practical approach for an appropriate use of this drug is provided.

[Impact of dapagliflozin on cardiovascular risk factors. Beyond glycemic control]. / Impacto de dapagliflozina en los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Más allá del control de la glucemia.

Sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of oral hypoglycemic agents that increase urinary glucose excretion independently of insulin secretion, although an apparently simple mechanism, but with multiple metabolic effects. Dapagliflozin was the first SGLT2 inhibitor marketed in Europe in 2012 for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, and consequently, with the greatest clinical experience. The results of different clinical trials and real-life studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in glycemic control, as they reduce glycosylated hemoglobin, while achieving a decrease in body weight and blood pressure, among others, providing a comprehensive metabolic protection.