Anemia and Iron Deficiency Linked to Mortality in HF Patients
Anemia and low iron levels are associated with higher mortality rates in patients with heart failure (HF), according to a new study from the United Kingdom.
Information on the consequences of anemia and iron deficiency in patients with suspected HF is lacking.
To investigate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in HF patients, the researchers followed 4456 patients referred to a cardiology clinic in the United Kingdom for suspected HF from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2010.
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The researchers measured the participants’ hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin levels. Anemia was defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds.
Overall, 27.8% of patients had anemia. The prevalence was higher in patients who met the criteria for HF with or without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (33%). Depending on which definition of iron deficiency was applied, iron deficiency was present in 43.2% to 68.0% of patients with anemia and 14.7% to 35.3% of patients without anemia.
Higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were associated with lower hemoglobin and serum iron levels.
“Anemia is common in patients with HF and often associated with iron deficiency,” the researchers concluded. “Both anemia and iron deficiency are associated with an increase in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and might both be therapeutic targets in this population.”
—Amanda Balbi
Reference:
Cleland JGF, Zhang J, Pellicori P, et al. Prevalence and outcomes of anemia and hematinic deficiencies in patients with chronic heart failure [published online June 29, 2016]. JAMA Cardiol. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2016.1161.