Diagnostic value of iron deficiency state in hypertensives with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Background: To determine interconnection between serum none heme iron levels and different functional classes of chronic heart failure (CHF) in hypertensives with anemia. Methods: This study included 79 hypertensives (28 male, 51 female; age 53.11 7.97 years) with CHF Class II-III NYHA with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF >50%). All patients were divided into 2 groups accordingly to the presence symptoms and signs of anemia: 24 patients without anemia (group I) and 55 patients with anemia (group II). There were patients with CHF Class II (NYHA) (subgroup A) and CHF Class III (subgroup B) in each group. Complete blood count [haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocytes (Er)], serum iron, ferritin and transferrin levels by ELISA methods were measured. Control group consisted of 20 healthy people. Results: Patients in group I have normal blood Hb and Er levels in the range of 123.71 7.42 g/L and 4.27 0.69 1012/L vs. 120.35 2.05 g/L and 3.79 0.93 1012/L in the control group (p>0.05). Patients in group II have Hb and Er levels lower by 26.19% and 28.98% accordingly vs. the control group (p0.05). In group IB serum iron, ferritin and transferrin levels were lower by 19.95%; 22.32% and 10.12% accordingly vs. the patients in group IA (p<0.05). In group IIA serum iron, ferritin and transferrin levels were equal to 10.56 3.88 mmol/L; 61.14 8.26 mcU/L and 2.18 0.18 g/L accordingly and were lover vs. group IA and IB (p<0.05). In group IIB serum iron, ferritin and transferrin levels were lower by 25.37%; 12.87% and 16.05% accordingly vs. the patients in group IIA (p<0.05). Conclusions: The serum non heme iron levels depend on the functional class of CHF. There is a necessity to identify the iron deficiency states by measuring not only the indexes of serum iron, but also ferritin and transferrin levels. Serum concentration of none heme iron is useful marker in the diagnostic and treatment effectiveness of anemia in hypertensives with CHF.