Efficacy and safety of early ferric carboxymaltose treatment in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) therapy in heart failure (HF) with low ejection fraction with iron deficiency (ID) or ID anemia is known. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intravenous FCM therapy in the early decompensated period in acute decompensated HF with low ejection fraction with ID or ID anemia.METHODS: Patients with acute decompensated HF with low ejection fraction (EF<40%) with ID or ID anemia were included in the study. ID was diagnosed according to serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) measurement at admission in 26 patients and before discharge in 26 patients, and intravenous FCM treatment was given at the same time. ID was defined as serum ferritin <100 μg/L (absolute ID) or ferritin 100-299 μg/L with a TSAT<20% (functional ID). Cox regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the time of intravenous iron therapy and the risk of 30-day hospitalization and 6-month rehospitalization and mortality and Linear regression analysis was used for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) change at 30 days.RESULTS: All patients have either ID or ID anemia. The mean age was 67.0±13.0 years, 58% female. Anemia was more prevalent at admission blood samples than before discharge (P<0.001), and absolute and functional iron deficiency rates were similar (P=0.38 and P=0.19, respectively). 30-day rehospitalization (Hazar ratio [HR]= 0.80, confidence interval [CI] 0.22-2.98, P=0.74) Sixth-month rehospitalization (HR=0.89, CI 0.36-2.20, P=0.80) and Sixth-month mortality (HR=0.51, CI 0.05-5.56, P=0.58) were similar between treatment groups. There was no significant relationship between the time of administration of FCM treatment and the change in pro-BNP levels measured at baseline and 30-day (P=0.90).CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute decompensated HF with low ejection fraction and ID or ID anemia, the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron therapy applied at admission are similar to before discharge.