The effect of empagliflozin on P wave peak time and other P wave parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Empagliflozin is a selective SGLT2 inhibitor and provides a significant reduction in hospitalizations in heart failure patients and a reduction in combined cardiovascular deaths regardless of diabetes. The mechanisms of favorable effects remain unclear. Improvement in left ventricular diastolic function and a decrease in filling pressure are any mechanisms of positive effects. These effects may show themselves with some changes on the electrocardiography (ECG). So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin on P wave parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without HF.Method: Fifty-three patients were included in the study. The electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluations were examined at the baseline and end of the third month for all patients. Results:The median age of all patients was 55 (45-64 IQR). After treatment, LA volume (p <.001) and diameter (p = .001) in both the parasternal long-axis (p = .001) and the apical four-chamber view decreased. E/e′ and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly decreased after treatment. P wave duration max,min, PWDmin, and PWdis were significantly shorter after treatment. The P wave peak time (PWPT) in lead D ıı and V 1 were significantly shorter after treatment. Conclusion:We found shortening of PWPT, PWdis, and PWD as reflections of improvements in left atrial volume and LV diastolic function on ECG after empagliflozin treatment.