IV Iron and SGLT2 Inhibitor on Ventricular Function and Myocardial Iron Content in Heart Failure With Iron Deficiency

Background. Treatment with intravenous iron has been shown to improve symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and iron deficiency. However, the mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects remain unknown. SGLT2i seem to alter hematocrit and other hematological markers or iron content. This study aims to measure cardiac magnetic resonance changes in myocardial iron content after administration of intravenous iron and to assess changes in left ventricular function in patients with HFrEF and iron deficiency. Methods. Ninety-nine outpatient with symptomatic HFrEF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<40%, SGLT2i naive, and iron deficiency will be assigned, to receive intravenous iron + SGLT2i; or intravenous iron + placebo of SGLT2i; or placebo of both therapies for 30 days. Myocardial iron will be evaluated by T2-star (T2\*) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) sequencing before intravenous iron infusion. After 30 days, all patients will be reassessed by T2\* CMR sequencing. The primary endpoint will be changes in LVEF and myocardial iron content at 30 days. Secondary endpoints will include correlations of these changes with myocardial iron content, functional capacity, quality of life, and cardiac biomarkers. Conclusions. This study will determine the effect of ferric carboxymaltose and its combination with SGLT2i on LVEF and its relationship with measures of myocardial iron content, functional capacity, and biomarkers in HFrEF and iron deficiency.