Semaglutide in the 2026 European Society of Cardiology guidelines
Authors:
Michal Vrablík; Martin Šatný
Authors‘ workplace:
Centrum preventivní kardiologie, III. interní klinika – endokrinologie a metabolismu 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze
Published in:
AtheroRev 2026; 11(2): 91-94
Category:
Guidelines
Overview
The 2026 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on cardiovascular (CV) disease in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure, respectively, document the role of semaglutide in clinical practice. In selected patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and albuminuric CKD, subcutaneous semaglutide is recommended to slow the progression of renal impairment and reduce CV risk, regardless of diabetes control. In patients with symptomatic heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 45% and concomitant obesity, the use of semaglutide should be considered not only for weight loss but also to improve functional capacity and quality of life. The article summarizes the significance of previously published studies (SELECT, FLOW, STEP-HFpEF and SOUL) for the prevention of atherosclerotic CV events, kidney protection and the treatment of obesity in heart failure. It distinguishes prognostic from symptomatic outcomes and highlights eligibility criteria, evidence gaps and product-specific regulatory restrictions.
Keywords:
obesity – semaglutide – heart failure – chronic kidney disease – cardiovascular prevention
Sources
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Angiology Diabetology Internal medicine Cardiology General practitioner for adultsArticle was published in
Athero Review
2026 Issue 2
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