EFFECT OF IRON DEFICIENCY CORRECTION ON HEART FAILURE PATIENT’S OUTCOMES

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of intravenous and oral iron treatment on clinical parameters in Hart failure (HF) patients with iron deficiency (ID). We studied 78 adult patients with HF admitted to the hospital. All patients underwent a standardized clinical evaluation. Blood samples were obtained for: full blood count, serum iron concentration, ferritin, creatinine, and eGFR. Assessment of exercise capacity was performed by a 6-min walk test (6-MWT). Quality of life was studied using the Minnesota Quality of Life Questionnaire. Patients were divided in to two groups:  50 patients (group 1) received IV Ferrous (III) hydroxide sucrose complex (Venofer) 5ml/100mg; 28 patients (group 2) – controlled group. Treatment duration was 7.8±0.4 days in hospital. After discharge from the clinic, patients continued treatment with oral iron for 3 months. After 3 months patients were assessed again. In our study, iron treatment has been shown to improve clinically significant anemia and NYHA functional class. It also improved renal function and levels of NT-proBNP, but differences between two groups were not clinically significant. 6-minute walking distance test and quality of life were significantly improved in the iron treatment group. A heart failure iron treatment service can be set up as an independent or as an integrated service within heart failure care. All patients with HF should be routinely tested for serum iron and serum ferritin concentrations in addition to the usual blood tests. Intravenous Iron treatment is safe and can be used in hospital treatment in unstable and symptomatic patients. Oral Iron treatment can be used for long-term outpatient treatment.