Echocardiographic effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in single ventricle circulatory failure

Abstract

Background: Single ventricle patients are at high risk of developing circulatory failure. There is limited evidence for pharmacological treatment. This study assessed the echocardiographic changes in ventricular function during sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) therapy in patients with single ventricle failure (SVF). Methods: SVF patients with a baseline transthoracic echocardiogram within six months before starting SGLT2i and at least one echocardiographic examination within twelve months follow-up were included from a real-world international registry of adult congenital heart disease patients on SGLT2i. Mixed models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes in ventricular function and differences between patients with SVF with >= moderately reduced systolic function (SVFrEF) and with <= mildly reduced function (SVFpEF). Results: Thirteen patients were included. The median age was 21 [20-42] years, 8 (61.5 %) were female, 10 (76.9 %) had a Fontan circulation, 8 (61.5 %) had SVFrEF, and 5 (38.5 %) SVFpEF at the start of SGLT2i. The mean follow-up was 7.6 +/- 3.3 months. End-systolic area decreased significantly in all patients (-1.6 cm2 per month, p = 0.007) in the first 100 days. Fractional area change improved in the first 100 days in SVFrEF patients (3.5 %-point per month, p < 0.001), while SVFpEF patients remained stable. There was a significant improvement in the free wall strain in all patients (-0.3 %-point per month, p = 0.036) but not in global longitudinal strain (p = 0.087). Isovolumic acceleration also improved in the first 100 days (0.5 m/s(2 )per month, p = 0.010). Conclusions: Echocardiographic signals of improved ventricular function were observed in the first year of SGLT2i therapy in patients with SVF.