MARKERS OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE DECOMPENSATION

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most common comorbidities in patients with heart failure (HF) regardless of the presence of anaemia. It is more common in individuals with acute decompensation. 

Purpose: To analyse the specific parameters expressing the presence of ID. To compare these parameters between groups with and without acute HF decompensation.

Patients and methods: We included 98 patients who were followed or hospitalized in our clinic from January to August 2023. We divided patients into two groups; group of stabile ambulatory patients and second group of patients hospitalized with HF decompensation. Standard tests including the parameters of iron metabolism were monitored. In addition, the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) was evaluated. ID was defined as a transferrin saturation (T-sat) value <20%, or ferritin <100 µg/ml.

Results: ID was present in 59% of all stabile ambulatory patients, and in 66% of hospitalized patients. In the group of outpatients, ferritin value was 111,45 (51,70–345,40) µg/mL, T-sat was 0,21 (0,128–0,269). In the group of hospitalised patients, ferritin was 156,85 (66,98–314,72) µg/mL and T-sat 0,163 (0,012–0,24). The sTfR values in outpatients group were 1,60 (1,25–2,09) mg/L, in hospitalization group 1,64 (1,33–2,12) mg/L. Serum iron was 13,65 (7,83–18,40) μmol/L in outpatient group and 10,25 (8,13–16,30) μmol/L in hospitalization group.

Conclusion: ID was present in majority of the patients with HF, more in the group with acute decompensation. Patients with decompensation tend to have higher ferritin as an marker of inflammation. Other parameters like T-sat, sTfR or serum iron seems to be more appropriate for the diagnosis of ID, especially in decompensated patients.

This publication was written with the support of the Specific University Research provided by MŠMT, No.: MUNI/A/1410/2022