Iron Deficiency: Emerging Therapeutic Target in Heart Failure
Studies have reported a high prevalence of iron deficiency—up to 30%–50%—in chronic heart failure, even in the absence of anaemia. In a large study of 955 heart failure patients, 43% of anaemic patients and 15% of non-anaemic patients had iron deficiency. In a study including 37 patients with advanced heart failure, iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration was present in up to 73% of patients. A more recent study reported an iron deficiency prevalence of 37% in 546 heart failure patients; importantly, the prevalence was 32% in patients without anaemia. In another study of 157 chronic heart failure patients, iron stores were seemingly adequate, but functional iron deficiency was observed in 43% of patients. Iron deficiency was diagnosed in 37% of patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. In another cohort of 1506 chronic heart failure patients, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 50%, including 45.6% among patients without anaemia.
Prevalence of Iron Deficiency
Studies have reported a high prevalence of iron deficiency—up to 30%–50%—in chronic heart failure, even in the absence of anaemia. In a large study of 955 heart failure patients, 43% of anaemic patients and 15% of non-anaemic patients had iron deficiency. In a study including 37 patients with advanced heart failure, iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration was present in up to 73% of patients. A more recent study reported an iron deficiency prevalence of 37% in 546 heart failure patients; importantly, the prevalence was 32% in patients without anaemia. In another study of 157 chronic heart failure patients, iron stores were seemingly adequate, but functional iron deficiency was observed in 43% of patients. Iron deficiency was diagnosed in 37% of patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. In another cohort of 1506 chronic heart failure patients, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 50%, including 45.6% among patients without anaemia.
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