IRON DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE

Abstract

Relevance. In chronic heart failure (CHF), anemia is an independent risk factor for death. However, there are few data on the frequency of anemia and iron deficiency in patients with CHF.
The aim of the study was to study the frequency of anemia and iron deficiency in patients with CHF who are being treated in a therapeutic hospital.
Material and methods. A total of 150 patients with CHF of the III–IV functional class (FC), mean age 72.5±7.8 years, were examined. A general blood test was performed with the calculation of erythrocyte indices, the content of iron, ferritin, transferrin in the blood, as well as the saturation of transferrin with iron were determined.
Results. Mild anemia was detected in 26.5% of the examined patients, iron deficiency-in 72.1%. The incidence of anemia in FC IV CHF was significantly higher than in FC III CHF; iron deficiency was equally common in both groups. Hypoferremia was detected in 38.6% of patients: 34 patients with FC II-I, 26 patients with FC IV. The average ferritin level was less than 100 mcg /l and did not differ statistically in the groups (in FC III CHF – 46.64 ± 28.72mcg/L, in FC IV-45.63±25.90 mcg/L). With an increase in FC IV CHF transferrin, the iron saturation of transferrin is statistically significantly lower.
Conclusions. In patients with FC III–IV CHF, anemia is noted in a quarter of cases, with FC IV CHF more often than with FC III CHF. Iron deficiency is much more common – in 3/4 of patients, regardless of FC.