Effect of correction of anemia in severe congestive heart failure

Introduction

Anemia is common in patients with heart failure, and the combination of erythopoietin and intravenous iron has been shown to improve their clinical status. We investigated the effect of correction of anemia on cardiac function in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) with just intravenous iron.

Methods

Sixty-four patients with severe CHF (NYHA III or IV), a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35% despite maximally tolerated doses of CHF medication and whose hemoglobin levels (Hb) were <12 gr% were randomized into two equal groups: treatment group (n = 32) receiving iron sucrox complex (200 mg weekly for 6 weeks), and control group (n = 32) receiving saline. Patients did not receive erythopoietin throughout the study.

Results

See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Correction of anemia may be an important addition to the treatment of CHF. Intravenous iron is a simple therapy that increases Hb, reduces symptoms and improves EF in anemic patients with CHF.