Effects of SGLT2 Inhibition on Myocardial Insulin Sensitivity (DapaHeart)

May 6, 2026 updated by: Giaccari Andrea

Study on the Effect of Dapagliflozin on Myocardial Insulin Sensitivity and Perfusion

A Phase III, single-centre, randomized, 2-arm, parallel-group, double blind, placebo-controlled study, consisting of a screening phase (Days -14 to -1), a 4-week double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment phase and a 4-week follow-up phase.

Subjects: Type 2 diabetic patients and coronary artery diseases (CAD) not requiring revascularization or underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but clinically stable at time of screening visit, with suboptimal glycaemic control (HbA1c 7.0-8.5%) on their current anti-hyperglycaemic regimen

Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to dapagliflozin or placebo.

Subjects will undergo screening assessment in the 14-day period preceding administration of the first dose of study drug on Day 1.

The primary Objective is to assess the effect of dapagliflozin on myocardial insulin sensitivity The Secondary Objective is to assess global heart function, and metabolic systemic effects of dapagliflozin, and glycemic control.

The study aims to enroll patients with type 2 diabetes with suboptimal glycemic control, and with coronary artery diseases (CAD) not requiring revascularization or underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but clinically stable, who have already undergone, under routine cardiological assessment, a positron emission tomography (PET) 13NH3 scan in order to assess the cardiovascular function. Thus, the study aims to assess whether the improvement in cardiac metabolism obtained with dapagliflozin is greater than that obtained with normal clinical practice (according to Standards of Care).

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This Phase III, single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is designed to evaluate the impact of dapagliflozin on myocardial insulin sensitivity, global cardiac function, metabolic effects, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The study consists of three phases: a 14-day screening phase (Days -14 to -1), a 4-week double-blind treatment phase, and a 4-week follow-up phase.

Patients eligible for this study must have suboptimal glycemic control (HbA1c 7.0-8.5%) on a stable anti-hyperglycemic regimen and meet specific inclusion criteria, including a history of stable CAD with ≥30% coronary stenosis or prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed at least six months prior to screening, without an indication for revascularization. These patients should have undergone a routine 13N-ammonia PET-CT scan to assess cardiovascular function before enrollment.

During the study, participants are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 10 mg dapagliflozin or a placebo tablet, administered orally once daily for four weeks. Key assessments include a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to measure myocardial glucose uptake (MGU) and systemic glucose metabolism. The primary outcome focuses on the change in MGU, reflecting myocardial insulin sensitivity, while secondary outcomes evaluate:

Coronary flow reserve (CFR): Determined as the ratio of myocardial blood flow (MBF) during pharmacological stress to MBF at rest, measured using PET-CT.

Left ventricular function: Assessed at rest and during pharmacological stress via Gated-PET with 13N-ammonia.

Metabolic effects on adipose tissue: Quantitative FDG uptake in pericardial, perirenal, and interscapular fat, measured as SUVmax.

Glycemic control: Changes in fasting glucose concentration and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Gut microbiota composition: Analyzed at the class, genus, and species levels to assess systemic metabolic effects.

The study aims to enroll patients aged 40-75 years, with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m² and a diabetes duration of less than 10 years. Patients with type 1 diabetes, recent myocardial infarction, severe renal or hepatic impairment, or contraindications to study procedures or medications are excluded.

At the end of 4 week-trial, all the patients in the placebo group will start therapy with dapagliflozin.

All the patients will be followed up every 4 years. Coronary flow reserve (CFR): Determined as the ratio of myocardial blood flow (MBF) during pharmacological stress to MBF at rest, measured using PET-CT, will be re-evaluated at the end follow up.

This trial seeks to determine whether the metabolic and cardiac improvements achieved with dapagliflozin are superior to those achieved with standard clinical practice, aligning with current Standards of Care. The results will provide robust evidence on the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in addressing the residual cardiovascular risk in T2D patients.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
25

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Italy
    • RM
      • Rome, RM, Italy, 00168
        • Center For Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases - Catholic University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

40 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Provision of informed consent prior to any study-specific procedures

  2. Female or male subjects aged between 40 and 75 inclusive. Patients who have been surgically sterilized (hysterectomy or tubal-ligation) at least 12 months prior to screening, or are postmenopausal having had no regular menstrual bleeding for at least one (1) year prior to screening. Menopause will be confirmed by a plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level of > 35 IU/mL at screening, or Women with childbearing potential willing not to initiate pregnancy during the course of the study, and non-nursing women.

    Men having relationships with women with childbearing potential willing not to procure a pregnancy during the course of the study;

  3. Patients with type 2 diabetes
  4. Patients with established, stable CAD, defined as ≥30% coronary stenosis in at least one major coronary vessel on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) performed within 12 months from screening and no indication to revascularization or with no evidence of critical restenosis, if previously subjected to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (>6months).
  5. Patients with a clinical indication for 13N-ammonia PET-CT, as established by a cardiologist, nuclear medicine physician or diabetologist.
  6. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) equal or greater than 25 kg/m2 but less than 35 kg/m2 [BMI = Weight (kg) / Height squared (m2)]
  7. Patients with a HbA1c between 7.0% and 8.5%, according to the actual clinical conditions of the patients;
  8. Patients with diabetes duration <10 years;
  9. Patients with stable medical therapy [including other anti-hyperglycemic agents (see Table 1, section 5.2.1 for all therapies allowed, as per current standard treatment); pioglitazone and basal-bolus insulin treatment are excluded, as reported in the exclusion criteria 15] for at least 3 months prior to the screening visit (including stable insulin dose defined as no variation more than 30% in daily insulin dose within the preceding 3 months.
  10. Patients with Fasting C-peptide > 1 ng/mL (0.33 nmol/L) at Visit 0

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Type 1 diabetes (as assessed by medical history); previous diagnosis of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA), and or not fulfilling inclusion criteria #10
  2. History of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma
  3. NYHA class III or IV
  4. Unstable angina
  5. Previous re-vascularisation (either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft) in the last <6 months before screening
  6. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (≤ 50%)
  7. Increased likelihood of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (history of DKA, alcohol consumption, volume depletion dehydration, clinical conditions causing diarrhea, vomit and anorexia)
  8. Moderate to severe renal impairment (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2 as calculated by the modification of diet in renal disease [MDRD] equation or end-stage renal disease); overt proteinuria, defined as Spot urine Microalbumin/Cr ratio of >300 mg/g at screening (Visit 0)
  9. Severe liver dysfunction
  10. Asthma
  11. Uncontrolled blood pressure
  12. Symptomatic tachy- or bradyarrhythmias
  13. Previous acute myocardial infarction
  14. Contraindications to adenosine: known hypersensitivity to adenosine or to any of the excipients; sick sinus syndrome, second or third degree atrio-ventricular block (except in patients with a functioning artificial pacemaker); chronic obstructive lung disease with evidence of bronchospasm (e.g. bronchial asthma ); long QT syndrome; severe hypotension; decompensated states of heart failure
  15. Use of pioglitazone; use of loop diuretics; basal-bolus insulin therapy; use of systemic steroids less than 3 days prior to the screening visit (Visit 0)
  16. Known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients in study drug
  17. Inability to provide informed consent
  18. Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product during the previous 30 days
  19. Patients with history of breast, bladder and prostate cancer
  20. Patients who will undergo surgical procedures
  21. Patients with acute urinary tract infection
  22. Patients with history of intolerance to galactose and lactose
  23. Severe/uncontrolled medical conditions, causing liquid volume depletion

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Placebo Comparator: A - placebo
Green, plain, diamond shaped, film coated tablet (orally), not containing active ingredient; once daily, for 4 weeks
Other: Placebo
placebo
Experimental: B - experimental drug
Dapagliflozin tablet available at dose of 10 mg, once daily, for 4 weeks
Drug: Dapagliflozin 10Mg Tab
Dapagliflozin, will be administered according to the approved posology and to the approved dose as stated by Local Health Indication and by the Drug Brochure

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Effect of dapagliflozin on myocardial insulin sensitivity
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Myocardial Glucose Uptake (MGU) umol/min/gr during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp: change from baseline
4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Effect on Coronary flow reserve [Main Secondary Outcome]
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Coronary flow reserve (CFR) obtained as ratio of myocardial blood flow (ml/min/g) (MBF) during pharmacological stress and MBF at rest: change from baseline
4 weeks
3. Browning of white adipose tissue: change from baseline
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Quantitative measurement of FDG uptake in pericardial, perirenal, interscapular fat by total body FDG PET-CT study, expressed as maximum Standard Uptake Volume (SUVmax) (change from baseline)
4 weeks
Metabolic systemic effects of dapagliflozin
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Whole body glucose uptake calculated as mg/kg/min during the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp: change from baseline
4 weeks
Effect on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction at rest
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Whole body glucose uptake calculated as mg/kg/min during the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp: change from baseline
4 weeks
Effect on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction during pharmacological stress
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (percent %) measured by Gated-PET with 13N-ammonia during pharmacological stress: change from baseline
4 weeks
Fasting glucose concentration change from baseline
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Measured as fasting glucose concentration (mg/dl): change from baseline
4 weeks
Glycemic control change from baseline
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Measured as Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (percent %): change from baseline
4 weeks
Gut microbiota composition change from baseline
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Analysis of gut microbiota composition at class, genus, and species levels: change from baseline
4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Giaccari Andrea

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Andrea Giaccari, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
December 1, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 6, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 6, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 4, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 13, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 18, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 6, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2016-003614-27

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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