Contact: Nicole Napoli, nnapoli@acc.org, 202-375-6523

WASHINGTON (Oct 04, 2022) -

The American College of Cardiology, 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.

More than 6 million people in the United States have HF, which is a condition where the heart isn't able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. Many people with heart failure 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 heart failure, including fewer heart-related deaths and hospitalizations.

"Heart failure is a deadly, debilitating condition that is becoming more common, making treatment options and resources critical to improve outcomes for people with heart failure,” 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 heart failure.”

Through this initiative, 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.org, ACC’s Patient Engagement Initiative, to educate patients on SGLT2 inhibitors and involve patients in decisions to include the drugs as part of their heart failure treatment plan.

“SGLT2 inhibitors are the latest addition to heart failure 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 the ACC’s new curriculum will help address some of the challenges in today’s heart failure landscape, thereby offering the opportunity to provide better care and improve the lives of people who have heart failure.”

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.

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 56,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.

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