Cardiovascular

Does Empagliflozin Boost Red Blood Cell Production in Heart Failure?

A biomarker substudy of the EMPEROR program shows empagliflozin activates the erythropoietin-erythroferrone-hepcidin axis and raises haemoglobin in heart failure. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Ipragliflozin and Diastolic Function in Diabetic CKD: A Null Primary Endpoint With Exploratory LVEF and BMI Signals (PROCEED Sub-Analysis)

A post-hoc sub-analysis of the open-label PROCEED RCT found ipragliflozin did not improve LV diastolic function overall, with only exploratory subgroup signals. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Does Finerenone Reduce New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome?

A pooled analysis of three finerenone trials found a modest reduction in new-onset atrial fibrillation/flutter across the cardio-kidney-metabolic spectrum. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Triple Therapy and Vascular and Hepatic Markers in New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes (EDICT)

A small secondary analysis of the EDICT randomised trial reports that initial triple therapy was associated with slower carotid intima-media thickness progression and lower liver fat than sequential add-on therapy at matched glycaemic control. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Ertugliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure: A Mechanistic RCT With a Null Primary Outcome

A small mechanistic RCT (n=34) found ertugliflozin did not increase proximal tubular natriuresis (the primary outcome) but did reduce fluid volume and blood pressure by week 12. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Indapamide vs Moxonidine Add-On in Hypertension With Prediabetes: Comparable Organ Protection

A small randomized trial compared perindopril plus indapamide against perindopril plus moxonidine (both with metformin) for left ventricular and renal protection in hypertension with prediabetes. PICO summary and expert commentary.

STEP-HFpEF: Semaglutide Reduces NT-proBNP and Improves Health Status in Obesity-Related HFpEF

Baseline Neutrophil Count and Type 2 Diabetes Remission on a Mediterranean Diet (CORDIOPREV)

A secondary analysis of the CORDIOPREV trial reports that a lower baseline neutrophil count is associated with type 2 diabetes remission in patients with coronary heart disease following a Mediterranean diet. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Dapagliflozin and Individual Albuminuria Responses in Type 2 Diabetes: An N-of-1 Crossover Trial

A decentralized n-of-1 crossover trial found dapagliflozin lowered the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio by 15.1% versus placebo over 1-week periods in 20 adults with type 2 diabetes, while demonstrating reliable remote sampling. PICO summary and expert commentary.

Eplerenone in Acute Heart Failure: Effect Consistent Across Diabetes and CKD (EARLIER Secondary Analysis)

A secondary analysis of the EARLIER trial found that diabetes plus CKD predicted worse cardiovascular outcomes in acute heart failure, while eplerenone's effects appeared consistent across subgroups. PICO summary and expert commentary.