Background: The cardiovascular and renal benefits of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been clearly demonstrated. However, studies comparing the effects of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes without prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure. Methods: Using a propensity-score matching method, we retrospectively analyzed 921 patients treated with dapagliflozin, 921 patients treated with empagliflozin, and 1842 patients treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i; control group). Study outcomes comprised composite coronary events (acute coronary syndrome and coronary revascularization), composite ischemic events (coronary events and stroke), and composite heart failure and renal events. Results: During follow up (median, 43.4 months), the incidence of composite coronary events was significantly lower in the SGLT2i groups than in the control group, and the incidence of composite ischemic events was lower in the dapagliflozin group than in the control group. Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin both demonstrated significant benefits in terms of heart failure and renal outcomes, supported by renoprotective effects, as assessed by the change in glomerular filtration rate. At 24–36 months of treatment, the empagliflozin group had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and lower glycated hemoglobin levels, compared to those in the dapagliflozin and control groups. Conclusion : SGLT2i use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, heart failure hospitalization, and renal events, compared to that with DPP4i use. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, supporting a SGLT2i class effect.

Background Cardiovascular and renal benefits of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been clearly demonstrated. However, studies comparing the effects of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are scarce. In addition, relatively few studies have analyzed the effects of SGLT2i in diabetic patients without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or heart failure (HF), and current guidelines recommend SGLT2i and other antidiabetic drugs equally in this population. Therefore, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in patients with type 2 diabetes without prior ASCVD, CKD, or HF. Methods Using a propensity-score matching method, we retrospectively analyzed 921 patients treated with dapagliflozin, 921 patients treated with empagliflozin, and 1842 patients treated with DPP4i (control group). Study outcomes comprised composite coronary events (acute coronary syndrome and coronary revascularization), composite ischemic events (coronary events and stroke), and composite heart failure and renal events. Results During follow up (median, 43.4 months), the incidence of composite coronary events was significantly lower in the SGLT2i groups than in the control group, and the incidence of composite ischemic events was lower in the dapagliflozin group than in the control group. Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin both demonstrated significant benefits in terms of HF and renal outcomes, supported by renoprotective effects, as assessed by the change in glomerular filtration rate. At 24–36 months of treatment, the empagliflozin group had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and lower glycated hemoglobin levels, compared to those in the dapagliflozin and control groups. Conclusion SGLT2i use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of ASCVD, HF hospitalization, and renal events, compared to that with DPP4i use among diabetic patients without prior ASCVD, CKD, or HF. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, supporting a SGLT2i class effect.

Case Presentation: A 40-year-old woman who was 4 weeks pregnant presented with nausea and vomiting. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and temperature were 180/104 mmHg, 85 beats/min, 36.1℃ (96.98 ℉), Hypoxemia and mild pulmonary edema were observed. Echocardiography showed severe left ventricular dysfunction and normal dimension with ejection fraction < 10 %. As BP was decreased despite inotropic agents with aggravated hypoxemia, deteriorated acute kidney injury, mechanical ventilation, venous arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), and continuous renal replacement therapy were initiated. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and the possibility of myocarditis was low because endomyocardial biopsy showed rare inflammatory infiltration. After a few days, other parameters including cardiac function were improved and VA-ECMO was stopped, however, ischemic signs of the right lower leg progressed. To rule out rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome, CT angiography was done and about 4.9 cm sized left adrenal mass was found (A). The results of catecholamines are as follows: plasma metanephrine, 1862.6 (< 98.6 pg/mL); normetanephrine, 993.8 (< 164.9 pq/mL); 24hr urine metanephrine, 1396.2 (36~229 mcg/24hr); normetanephrine, 835.8 (95~650 mcg/24hr). A diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was made and left adrenalectomy was done, Pheochromocytoma was demonstrated in biopsy. Unfortunately, due to severe vasoconstriction and rhabdomyolysis, her right leg was not completely recovered, so amputation was done below knee (B). Discussion: Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine secreting tumors derived from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. Catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction, microvascular hypoxia, muscle ischemia, direct toxic effects are considered to contribute to cardiomyopathy and limb ischemia in rare situations. Timely clinical suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention are critical.