Abstract 4140617: SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Atrial Fibrillation Incidence Following Heart Failure Hospitalization in a Diabetic Population

Introduction: The development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Initially developed as a diabetic medication, SGLT-2 inhibitors have been shown to improve hospitalization rates and mortality in patients with heart failure. Meta-analyses of large prospective trials suggest SGLT-2 inhibitors prevent the incidence and burden of atrial fibrillation, though this specific question has not been specifically addressed by prospective trials. Hypothesis: SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients who have diabetes following heart failure hospitalization. Aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the incidence of atrial fibrillation in a diabetic population following hospitalization for heart failure. Methods: The study included consecutive patients with diabetes admitted to an academic tertiary care center over a 3 year time period with a primary diagnosis of heart failure exacerbation and without prior diagnosis of AF. The primary outcome is incidence of new AF within 12 months after hospitalization. Demographic, comorbidity, echocardiographic data, and medications were obtained from the medical record. Cox-regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of AF following HF hospitalization. Results: A total of 2,300 patients were included, 24.3% of whom were prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors. Of those included, 499 (21.7%) have HFrEF, 309 (13.4%) have HFmrEF, and 1492 (64.9%) have HFpEF. The use of SGLT-2 inhibitor demonstrated a statistically significant association with lower incidence in AF at one year following heart failure hospitalization. Patients on an SGLT-2 inhibitor had a AF incidence of 13.2% compared to an incidence of 20.2% in those not taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor. This difference was found to be statistically significant ( p<0.001; RR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.48-0.80 ). Conclusion: The use of SGLT-2 inhibitors is associated with a statistically significant reduction in new-onset AF at one year following hospitalization for heart failure in patients with diabetes.