Content of review 1, reviewed on June 01, 2021

The aim of this study is clear - the author wanted to see if there was efficacy in using dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction with and without diabetes. The results section and the methods utilized are clear as well. The title is somewhat generic - I would have included more about it being used in patient with and without diabetes. All references appear to be built correctly and are appropriate to use.

The study does a good job of laying out what is known about this medication. It may be beneficial, however, to further discuss the mechanism behind why dapagliflozin may be useful in patients with heart failure. The research question is clearly outlined and justified with what is already known about cardiovascular outcomes and this medication.

Eligibility requirements are clearly stated with variables defined and measured appropriately. I would feel comfortable trying to replicate this study. A point of critique, however, is that it may have been beneficial to include a flow chart showing selection and enrollment as these are sometimes useful in study publications.

All results appear to be appropriate and neatly organized. The tables are utilized appropriately and data is reported in a logical way. Significant results are clearly reported.

Results are discussed thoroughly, but succinctly as well. Conclusions are clearly stated separate from other content and are backed by evidence from the trial. Presented limitations are understandable as they are things that are common in other trials and difficult to avoid. The study allows its data to speak for itself in some areas, which I find refreshing.

This study added a lot to current therapy as it changed the way clinicians practice when treating patients with HFrEF. There were not many major flaws of this study - likely due to the fact that it is already published and peer reviewed. I would recommend a more informative title and also elaborating more about the mechanism of SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure in the introduction.

Source

    © 2021 the Reviewer.

References

    V., M. J. J., D., S. S., E., I. S., L., K., N., K. M., A., M. F., P., P., S., S. M., S., A. I., J., B., M., B., -E., C. C., K., C. V., A., d. B. R., S., D. A., M., D., J., D., A., D., J., G., G., H. J., T., K., M., K., A., L. C. E., B., M., C., N. J., E., O., C., P. M., N., V. P., M., S., S., T., S., V., C., H., L., D. D., F., D. K., S., J. P., O., B., M., S., -M., L. A. Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. New England Journal of Medicine.