How Kidney Function Changes Before and After Hospitalization for Heart Failure: Findings from EMPEROR program

Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood as well as it should. This can cause tiredness, swelling in the legs, and trouble breathing. Millions of people worldwide live with heart failure, and it often gets worse over time.

The heart and kidneys work closely together. When the heart is weak, the kidneys may not get enough blood to work properly. This can lead to kidney problems, which are common in people with heart failure. Some patients lose kidney function gradually, while others experience a sudden drop, especially before being hospitalized for worsening heart failure. However, we do not fully understand why kidney function declines faster in some patients or what happens to kidney function after a hospital stay for heart failure.

A group of medicines called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors helps protect the heart and kidneys. These medicines were first used for diabetes, but studies show they also help people with heart failure, even if they do not have diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors work by helping the body get rid of extra sugar and salt in the urine, which may reduce strain on the heart and kidneys.

Our study will examine how kidney function changes before and after hospitalization for heart failure. We will also investigate whether SGLT2 inhibitors slow kidney decline compared to a placebo (a treatment with no active medicine). By studying large groups of patients from clinical trials, we hope to find better ways to protect kidney health in people with heart failure.