Manitoba study leads to Health Canada approval for new heart failure therapy

A newly approved heart failure therapy that uses a drug originally meant to treat diabetes patients could improve outcomes for Canadians while reducing strain on healthcare systems, according to a Manitoba doctor.
The drug in question is called Empagliflozin. It is known as a SGLT2 inhibitor and was proven to be beneficial as a blood glucose-lowering agent in individuals with type 2 diabetes, according to cardiologist Dr. Shelley Zieroth, who led a clinical trial at St. Boniface Hospital for the treatment.
“This was a historical clinical trial. It met one of the biggest unmet needs in cardiovascular medicine which is an evidence-based treatment for patients living heart failure,” said Zieroth.
“It’s the first therapy for heart failure to show benefit across what we would say is a continuum of ejection fraction,” said Zieroth.
Ejection fraction (EF) refers to how much blood is pumped by the heart with each heartbeat and is represented by a percentage. A reduced EF indicates the heart isn’t pumping at its full capacity, while Zieroth explains a preserved EF as a type of heart failure where the pumping function of the heart is fine but the heart itself is very stiff.
With the treatment’s approval from Health Canada for chronic heart failure, Zieroth said it will simplify treatments for patients regardless of their EF score and will improve access to the best treatments.
Zieroth said access to this therapy should result in what was seen in the clinical trial - a 21 per cent reduction in cardiovascular deaths and hospitalizations related to heart failure.
“This improves the prognosis for patients but it also reduces the costs to the health care system as well,” said Zieroth.
Zieroth said heart failure is on the rise, with 750,000 Canadians living with the condition. An additional 100,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
The therapy has also been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S., and in some European counties.
-With files from CTV’s Michelle Gerwing
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mariupol fighters in Russian hands; both sides claim wins
Hundreds of Ukrainian fighters, including wounded men carried out on stretchers, left the vast steel plant in Mariupol where they mounted a dogged last stand and turned themselves over to Russian hands, signalling the beginning of the end of a siege that became a symbol of Ukraine's resistance to Moscow's invasion.

Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was the victim of an armed carjacking outside a movie theatre in Etobicoke on Monday night, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Warrant issued for suspect in crash that killed Calgary mother of 5
Calgary police said in a statement issued Monday they have identified a suspect wanted in an incident that resulted in the death of a Calgary mother of five.
Prince Charles and Camilla kick off three-day Canadian tour, PM says reconciliation will be part of visit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says reconciliation will form part of the discussions Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, engage in during their visit to Canada. Trudeau is in Newfoundland and Labrador today where he will join Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in welcoming the royal couple to Canada for a three-day visit.
Trudeau says inviting Iran to Vancouver soccer friendly is not 'a very good idea'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a soccer friendly between Canada and Iran next month in Vancouver is ill-advised. The merits of hosting Iran were raised by a reporter, citing families who had lost loved ones on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
Queen makes surprise appearance to mark new London subway line
Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise visit Tuesday to a train station in central London to see a newly completed subway line named in her honour. The 96-year-old monarch, who has reduced most of her public engagements, appeared Tuesday at Paddington Station.
Top 6 moments from the 2022 Ontario election debate
Ontario’s four main party leaders were relatively civil as they sparred at Monday night’s televised election debate in Toronto.
Confusion over RCMP leadership roles marked early investigation of N.S. mass shooting
When a man disguised as a Mountie started killing people in northern Nova Scotia two years ago, there was considerable confusion over who was in charge of the RCMP operation, newly released documents show.
Canadian Blood Services issues urgent call for donors as inventory falls
Canadian Blood Services has issued an immediate call for donors in light of a recent lull in attendance and rising cancellations.