Research progress of sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors in atrial fibrillation

The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) as a new and effective class of therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes (T2D), have recently emerged indicating an antiarrhythmic effect of the SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with and without diabetes. Several clinical studies have provided robust evidence for a protective and beneficial effect of these agents against atrial fibrillation. The antiarrhythmic mechanisms involved include reverse atrial remodeling, amelioration of mitochondrial function, attenuated sympathetic nervous system activity, regulation of sodium and calcium homeostasis. These new data on antiarrhythmic actions of SGLT2i are herein reviewed, in order to provide a new therapeutic strategy for clinical prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation.