- Nesti L, Pugliese NR, Sciuto P, et al. Mechanisms of reduced peak oxygen consumption in subjects with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2021;20(1):124.
- Nesti L, Pugliese NR, Sciuto P, Natali A. Type 2 diabetes and reduced exercise tolerance: a review of the literature through an integrated physiology approach. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2020;19(1):134.
- Natali A, Nesti L, Fabiani I, Calogero E, Di Bello V. Impact of empagliflozin on subclinical left ventricular dysfunctions and on the mechanisms involved in myocardial disease progression in type 2 diabetes: rationale and design of the EMPA-HEART trial. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2017;16(1):130.
Findings
What does this study add?
- After 1 and 6 months of therapy, despite tendency towards increased contractility with empagliflozin, no significant changes were reported.
- Similar results were reported for VO2, with empagliflozin therapy reporting no significant changes in aerobic capacity.
- Patients in the subgroup analysis were divided based on the baseline GLS values; when baseline GLS was reduced <16.5% at baseline, patients treated with empagliflozin experienced a significant increase in GLS after 1 month of therapy which was maintained up to 6 months.
- Empagliflozin has a neutral impact on aerobic fitness and left ventricle (LV) systo-diastolic functions, both at rest and during exercise, however it can exert an early and sustained amelioration of myocardial contractility in those with subclinical dysfunction.
