Association between sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and arrhythmic outcomes in patients with diabetes and pre-existing atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Aims Prior studies suggest that sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) may decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unknown whether SGLT2i can attenuate the disease course of AF among patients with pre-existing AF and Type II diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, our objective was to examine the association between SGLT2i prescription and arrhythmic outcomes among patients with DM and pre-existing AF. Methods and results We conducted a population-based cohort study of adults with DM and AF between 2014 and 2019. Using a prevalent new-user design, individuals prescribed SGLT2i were matched 1:1 to those prescribed dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is) based on time-conditional propensity scores. The primary endpoint was a composite of AF-related healthcare utilization (i.e. hospitalization, emergency department visits, electrical cardioversion, or catheter ablation). Secondary outcome measures included all-cause mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association of SGLT2i with the study endpoint. Among 2242 patients with DM and AF followed for an average of 3.0 years, the primary endpoint occurred in 8.7% (n = 97) of patients in the SGLT2i group vs. 10.0% (n = 112) of patients in the DPP4i group [adjusted hazard ratio 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.55–0.96; P = 0.03)]. Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors were associated with significant reductions in all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization, but there was no difference in the risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA. Conclusion Among patients with DM and pre-existing AF, SGLT2is are associated with decreased AF-related health resource utilization and improved arrhythmic outcomes compared with DPP4is.