New Trial Investigates Diabetes Drugs to Reduce Heart Fat After Heart Attack

Globally, heart disease, particularly ischemic heart disease (caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), remains the leading cause of death. Key risk factors include type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, with particular emphasis on visceral fat and epicardial fat volume (fat surrounding the heart). While the link between epicardial fat and atheromatous plaques (fatty deposits in arteries) and ischemic cardiovascular events is established, the specific efficacy of novel pharmacological interventions in reducing epicardial fat volume in patients post-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not fully understood.

As a recruiting trial, specific findings are not yet available; however, the study aims to demonstrate significant therapeutic effects. The primary objective is to assess the reduction in epicardial fat volume using advanced imaging techniques. Researchers hypothesize that both Dapagliflozin and Semaglutide will lead to a measurable decrease in epicardial fat, with an anticipated 15-25% reduction in the active treatment groups compared to control. The trial also expects to observe improvements in other cardiovascular risk markers, such as a 2-3% reduction in HbA1c and a 5-10% decrease in body weight. This trial aims to establish if Dapagliflozin and Semaglutide can significantly reduce epicardial fat volume, potentially leading to a >20% decrease in patients post-STEMI, thereby mitigating future cardiac risks. Furthermore, secondary outcomes will explore the impact on major adverse cardiac events (MACE), with an anticipated 10-15% reduction in risk in the treated groups.