Iron deficiency in chronic heart failure: an international pooled analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Iron deficiency (ID) is an emerging problem in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and can be a potential therapeutic target. However, not much is known about the prevalence, predictors, and prognosis of ID in patients with chronic HF.

METHODS:

In an international pooled cohort comprising 1,506 patients with chronic HF, we studied the clinical associates of ID and its prognostic consequences.

RESULTS:

Iron deficiency (defined as a ferritin level <100 μg/L or ferritin 100-299 μg/L with a transferrin saturation <20%) was present in 753 patients (50%). Anemic patients were more often iron deficient than nonanemic patients (61.2% vs 45.6%, P < .001). Other independent predictors of ID were higher New York Heart Association class, higher N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide levels, lower mean corpuscular volume levels, and female sex (all P < .05). During follow-up (median 1.92 years, interquartile range 1.18-3.26 years), 440 patients died (29.2%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed ID as a strong predictor for mortality (log rank χ(2) 10.2, P = .001). In multivariable hazard models, ID (but not anemia) remained a strong and independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.14-1.77, P = .002). Finally, the presence of ID significantly enhanced risk classification and integrated discrimination improvement when added to a prediction model with established risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Iron deficiency is common in patients with chronic HF, relates to disease severity, and is a strong and independent predictor of outcome. In this study, ID appears to have greater predictive power than anemia.

• Authors: Ijsbrand T Klip, Josep Comin-Colet, Adriaan A Voors, Piotr Ponikowski, Cristina Enjuanes, Waldemar Banasiak, Dirk J Lok, Piotr Rosentryt, Ainhoa Torrens, Lech Polonski, Dirk J van Veldhuisen, Peter van der Meer, Ewa A Jankowska
• Journal: American heart journal (Am Heart J) Vol. 165 Issue 4 Pg. 575-582.e3 (Apr 2013) ISSN: 1097-6744 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23537975 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (epidemiology)
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Heart Failure (epidemiology, mortality)
• Humans
• Iron Deficiencies
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Risk Assessment