Diuresis does not appear to play a big role in mediating the benefits of empagliflozin in heart-failure patients, according to results from a large clinical trial.

In the study, researchers examined data on more than 3,700 patients, who all had heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, randomized to receive either empagliflozin or placebo. Overall, empagliflozin reduced the composite risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, decreased total hospitalizations for heart failure and improved health status and functional class.

Reuters Health talked to Dr. Mikhail Kosiborod, co-author of an accompanying study and cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, about what the findings mean for patients with reduced ejection fraction and clinical practice moving forward.

Read the full Reuters Health article in M.D. alert: Diuretic effect may not mediate most empagliflozin benefits in heart-failure patients