Empagliflozin for Diabetes (EMPA-HEART Trial)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Empagliflozin on cardiac structure, function and circulating biomarkers in patients with Type II diabetes. Empagliflozin (anti-hyperglycemic agent), approved by Health Canada and the FDA for the treatment of Type II diabetes, demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular deaths and heart failure from a previous post-marketing clinical trial. The use of empagliflozin to treat patients with diabetes and heart disease has been approved by Health Canada. However, the process by which it may give this beneficial effect remains unclear and needs further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanistic basis by which Empagliflozin could provide its potential cardio-protective effects by employing the use of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI).