Iron deficiency and anemia in patients with heart failure consulting in the cardiology department of the Hospital de Clínicas

Abstract

Introduction: In addition to anemia, iron deficiency has more recently been recognized as a clinically relevant comorbidity in patients with heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, with serious consequences for patient well-being and outcomes.

Objectives: To investigate the iron profile in patients with heart failure consulting at the Cardiology Department of the Hospital de Clínicas in the period from July 2023 to July 2024.

Methodology: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted. Data were extracted from outpatient records of the Cardiology Department from July 2023 to July 2024. Demographic and clinical variables were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel and Epi Info 7.

Results: One hundred and eight patients with heart failure were studied, of whom 52.7% were male, while the mean age was 59 years. The most frequent cause of heart failure was unidentified (36%), followed by revascularized ischemic etiology (27%). The mean ejection fraction was 43% and mean ejection fraction was 43% while 90.7% were in functional class II. It was observed that 39% were within the anemia category according to the WHO. Iron deficiency was found in 26% of patients with anemia, and no subject without anemia was iron deficient. Those with NYHA 3 had lower levels of hemoglobin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation.

Conclusions: Most of the patients had heart failure of unknown cause. It was observed that hemoglobin and serum iron levels were lower in patients with low ejection fraction (EF ≤ 40%). Only 10.2% constituted the iron-deficient sample, all being female. Patients with NYHA 3 had iron-deficient anemia compared to the other NYHA stages.