A new drug called Farxiga (dapagliflozin) that helps protect the kidneys from damage has been approved by the FDA for use in treating heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF. HFrEF is a type of heart failure where the left ventricle of the heart doesn’t pump blood out to the body as well as it should.
The approval comes on the heels of positive results from the DAPA-HF trial, a large-scale, international study that showed Farxiga significantly reduced the risk of worsening heart failure and death from cardiovascular causes in patients with HFrEF. The drug works by inhibiting sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), which helps reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but also appears to provide kidney protection and improve heart function in those with heart failure.
While existing treatments for heart failure have focused on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life, Farxiga offers a new approach by directly targeting the underlying disease process. This could lead to improved outcomes and longer survival for patients with this serious condition.
Approximately 6 million Americans live with heart failure, which is responsible for nearly one in eight deaths in the U.S., making it the leading cause of hospitalization among people over age 65. The approval of Farxiga represents a significant advancement in the treatment of heart failure and offers new hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.
In addition to Farxiga, other innovative devices are emerging as potential game-changers in heart failure management. For example, Endotronix Inc.’s Cordella Pulmonary Artery Sensor System received FDA premarket approval in June 2021 for heart failure patients with limited physical activity.
The system uses daily pressure and vital sign data to guide treatment decisions, allowing physicians to act on early warnings of worsening heart failure. While available by prescription in the United States, it’s limited to clinical investigation in Europe.
ZOLL Medical Corporation’s wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD), which provides protection against life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, also holds promise for improving the management of acute heart failure patients. In 2019, ZOLL introduced its new µCor™ Heart Failure and Arrhythmia Management System (HFAMS), a non-invasive, patch-based wireless system that monitors pulmonary fluid levels and alerts physicians to potential heart failure complications.
These advancements in treatment options are crucial given the increasing mortality rates from heart failure, especially among younger adults. A 2024 Duke University study reported that the mortality rate rose from 82 deaths per 100,000 people in 2012 to 106 in 2021, attributing this trend to factors such as widespread obesity, rising rates of diabetes and hypertension, high costs of new heart medicines, and health care access difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As more innovative treatments become available, it’s essential for patients with heart failure to work closely with their healthcare providers to ensure they receive appropriate care tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
