Using an SGLT2 pill to improve heart blood flow and lower heart attack risk in women with HIV

Effects of SGLT2 Inhibition on Coronary Flow Reserve and Other Key Indices Relevant to Type 2 Myocardial Infarction Risk among Women with HIV

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11166661

This trial tests whether a diabetes-type pill (an SGLT2 inhibitor) can improve heart blood flow and reduce heart-attack risk in women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11166661 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be randomly assigned to take an SGLT2 inhibitor or a comparison treatment and followed over time. Doctors will use heart PET scans to measure coronary flow reserve and CT scans to measure fat around the heart (epicardial adipose tissue). The team will compare changes in these heart imaging markers between people taking the drug and those not taking it. The goal is to see if the drug improves heart blood flow and related risk markers in women with HIV.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adult women living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy and who are eligible for SGLT2 inhibitor treatment would be the primary candidates.

Not a fit: People who are men, do not have HIV, or have medical reasons they cannot take SGLT2 inhibitors (for example, certain kidney problems, recurrent urinary tract/genital infections, or pregnancy) are unlikely to benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve heart blood flow and lower the risk of type 2 heart attacks for women living with HIV.

How similar studies have performed: SGLT2 inhibitors have shown heart and kidney benefits and have improved coronary flow reserve and reduced heart fat in some prior studies, but results vary by patient group and have not been well-studied specifically in women with HIV.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome VirusAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.