The ACC, in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), is launching an initiative to educate cardiologists who are familiar with the drug evidence for the use of the heart failure (HF) drug class SGLT2 inhibitors but would benefit from education on how to safely and effectively use them to treat patients. "Heart Failure and SGLT2is: The New Pillar in Care" is a comprehensive curriculum to educate clinicians on the role and use of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF patients.

Many people with HF can manage their disease with lifestyle changes and medications; however, research has shown that adherence to optimal medical therapy and guideline-recommended treatments is low and the mortality rate at five years is high – approximately 50%.

"HF was once a condition that was diagnosed in later stages, but we're now focused on early detection and prevention in addition to comprehensive guideline-directed treatments for those with the established diagnosis," said James Januzzi, MD, FACC, co-chair of the ACC SGLT2i HF Education program and a member of the ACC Board of Trustees. "Treatments have dramatically evolved in the past few years and it can take time for those treatments to make their way to daily practice. By educating clinicians on the guideline-directed benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors to keep HF patients healthier and out of the hospital, we're transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for a broader population of people than ever."

The 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure recommends prevention strategies for people at risk of HF, in addition to targeted treatments. In the last five years, treatments have evolved rapidly and many novel and emerging therapies offer opportunities to alter the course of HF progression early. SGLT2 inhibitors are an example of these treatments.

The 2022 Heart Failure Guideline recommended SGLT2 inhibitors as one of four medication classes for HF, including specifically for patients with Type 2 diabetes and either established cardiovascular disease or at high cardiovascular risk, to prevent hospitalizations for HF. They were originally used to treat diabetes, but clinical trials have shown they have clear benefits for people with HF, including fewer heart-related deaths and hospitalizations.

"HF is a deadly, debilitating condition that is becoming more common, making treatment options and resources critical to improve outcomes for people with HF," said Mohamed Eid, MD, MPH, MHA, vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardio-Metabolism & Respiratory Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We are proud to collaborate with the ACC to help raise awareness of the latest treatment guidelines, particularly around the role of SGLT2 inhibitors as a key treatment pillar for adults with HF."

Through this initiative, the ACC will develop a comprehensive curriculum to educate clinicians on the role and use of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF patients, addressing knowledge gaps and ensuring understanding of practical application of SGLT2 inhibitors. The program will include a wide range of educational activities to offer content across the spectrum of knowledge and learner preferences, including case-based learning, podcasts, lectures and interactive lessons.

Patient-directed materials, including articles, infographics and shared decision-making tools, will also be developed through CardioSmart, ACC's Patient Engagement Initiative, to educate patients on SGLT2 inhibitors and involve patients in decisions to include the drugs as part of their HF treatment plan.

"SGLT2 inhibitors are the latest addition to HF guideline-directed medical therapy and are recommended independent of diabetes status," said Jeff Emmick, MD, PhD, vice president, Product Development, Lilly. "The educational content in ACC's new curriculum will help address some of the challenges in today's HF landscape, thereby offering the opportunity to provide better care and improve the lives of people who have HF."

The initiative launches later this year and will evolve to address the knowledge gaps and educational needs among cardiovascular clinicians as new evidence and developments in HF emerge.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies, Acute Heart Failure

Keywords: Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Cardiologists, Data Visualization, Patient Participation, Pulmonary Medicine, Risk Factors, Heart Failure, Heart Disease Risk Factors, Hospitalization, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Curriculum, Life Style, Hospitals

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