SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients With ADHF During Ventilator Weaning

Patients with acute decompensated HF will be open-label randomly assigned to be treated with or without SGLT2 inhibitors (either empagliflozin 10 mg once daily or dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily) 3 days before ventilator weaning in a ratio of 2:1. If the patients are allocated to SGLT2i treatment group, they will be further randomized equally to either empagliflozin- or dapagliflozin-treated group. A series of examination will be performed to detect weaning-induced cardiac ischemia and weaning-induced cardiopulmonary edema, including electrocardiography, chest X-ray, echocardiography, and biomarkers.

Echocardiography Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) will be performed by a trained operator at several time points: (1) before SBT and SGLT2i initiation; (2) during SBT trial just after initiating SGLT2 inhibitor; (3) during SBT trial 3 days after initiation of SGLT2 inhibitor; (4) within 24 hrs after extubation; (5) 7-10 days after extubation; (6) 90±7 days after extubation.

Biomarkers NT-proBNP, plasma protein, high-sensitive cardiac troponin T, and hemoglobin level will be checked at several time points: (1) before spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), (2) during SBT trial (at least 10 mins after the initiation of SBT) just after initiating SGLT2 inhibitor; (3) during SBT (at least 10 mins after the initiation of SBT) trial 3 days after SGLT2 inhibitor; (4) within 24 hrs after extubation; (5) 7~10 days after extubation; (5) 90±7 days after extubation. We will also check arterial blood gas analyses at the end of SBT trial just after initiating SGLT2 inhibitor and 3 days after SGLT2 inhibitor.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged ≥20 years
• Currently hospitalized for the primary diagnosis of acute HF (de novo or decompensated chronic HF) in HFrEF patients (LVEF≤40%)
• Meet the stabilization criteria:

A. Systolic BP ≥100mm Hg and no symptoms of hypotension in the preceding 6 hours B. No increase in i.v. diuretic dose for 6 hours prior to randomization C. No i.v. vasodilators including nitrates within the last 6 hours prior to randomization D. No i.v. inotropic drugs for 24 hours prior to randomization

• Elevated N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) or BNP:

A. Without atrial fibrillation (AF): NT-proBNP ≥1600 pg/mL or BNP ≥400 pg/mL B. With AF: NT-proBNP ≥2400 pg/mL or BNP ≥600 pg/mL

• Patients were intubated for at least 24 hour with ventilator settings allowing to initiate the weaning process [SpO2 > 90% or PaO2/FiO2 ≥ 150 mmHg with a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≤ 40% and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ≤ 8 cmH2O].

Exclusion criteria

• Decision to withdraw life support
• Cardiogenic shock
• Hospitalization for HF (HHF) triggered by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or pulmonary embolism
• Planned or previous (within 30 days) cardiovascular revascularization or major cardiac surgery/intervention/device implantation
• Prior acute coronary syndrome, AMI, stroke or transient ischemic accident within 90 days
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 30 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (a glycated hemoglobin level above 10.5%)
• Uncontrolled urinary tract infection