Long-term SGLT2 inhibitor therapy improves myocardial strain and diastolic function in HFpEF: a retrospective study linking functional recovery to reduced myocardial fibrosis - Report - MDSpire

SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy Enhances Myocardial Strain and Diastolic Function in Patients with HFpEF: A Retrospective Analysis Linking Functional Improvement to Decreased Myocardial Fibrosis

  • By

  • Xiaojin Xu

  • Hongyang Liu

  • Runyang Chen

  • July 21, 2026

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SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy Enhances Myocardial Strain and Diastolic Function

Overview

Long-term SGLT2 inhibitor treatment significantly improves myocardial strain and diastolic function in patients with HFpEF.

Background

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex syndrome that poses significant challenges in cardiovascular medicine. Myocardial fibrosis is a key feature of HFpEF, contributing to diastolic dysfunction and poor prognosis. Understanding the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on myocardial function and fibrosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Data Highlights

ParameterSGLT2i GroupControl GroupP-value
ΔGLS−2.49% ± 0.54%−0.44% ± 0.52%< 0.001
NT-proBNP Change−30.4%−9.7%< 0.001
PⅢNP Change−15.1%−5.8%< 0.001
GDF-15 Change−20.5%−8.6%< 0.001
Rehospitalization Rate24.7%55.4%< 0.001

Key Findings

  • Long-term SGLT2i treatment improved GLS significantly compared to controls.
  • NT-proBNP, PⅢNP, and GDF-15 levels decreased significantly in the SGLT2i group.
  • The rehospitalization rate for heart failure was significantly lower in the SGLT2i group.
  • ΔGLS was positively correlated with changes in fibrosis markers.
  • SGLT2i treatment was identified as an independent predictor of GLS improvement.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may provide significant benefits in managing HFpEF by improving myocardial strain and diastolic function. Monitoring fibrosis markers could be important in assessing treatment efficacy.

Conclusion

SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrate a beneficial impact on myocardial function and clinical outcomes in HFpEF patients.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Nature Medicine, 2026 -- Effects of SGLT2 inhibition on incident heart failure in carriers of cardiomyopathy-associated genetic variants
  2. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2021 -- Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Chronic Heart Failure Patients: New Insights from Continuous Hemodynamic Monitoring
  3. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2026 -- Expanding the scope of SGLT inhibitors in underrepresented cardiac populations: from pathophysiology to clinical evidence
  4. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2026 -- Characteristics and outcomes of patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in relation to sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor treatment: real-world data from the multicentre H2-registry
  5. AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document, 2026 -- Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure
  6. Efficacy of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients With Heart Failure and Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2026
  7. AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF Expert Consensus Document: Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure (2026) | JACC
  8. Efficacy of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients With Heart Failure and Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - Tingyu Wang, Tingfen Wang, Runfeng Zhang, 2026
  9. Prognostic Value of Myocardial T1 Mapping and Extracellular Volume Fraction in Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis | JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging

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