The Intersection of Heart Failure and Iron Deficiency Anemia: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is highly prevalent among individuals with heart failure (HF), impacting 40-70% of patients and serving as a significant prognostic indicator. Linked with oxidative metabolism and myocardial cell damage, IDA exacerbates HF symptoms, including reduced exercise capacity, diminished quality of life, and heightened cardiovascular morbidity. This review explores the diagnosis, treatment, clinical outcomes, prognostic indicators, and forthcoming challenges associated with IDA in HF patients. Crucially, addressing IDA in HF is critical for enhancing prognosis, including clinical outcomes, quality of life, hospitalizations, and survival rates. While oral iron therapy shows efficacy in reducing mortality and hospitalizations, it falls short in improving exercise capacity and quality of life, often deterring patients due to side effects. In contrast, intravenous (IV) iron therapy is highly effective in enhancing hematological parameters, functional capacity, and reducing HF hospitalizations. Optimizing IV iron dosing based on individual patient characteristics is essential for balancing treatment efficacy and adverse effects. Emphasizing individualized approaches, with IV iron emerging as a superior option, underscores the necessity for ongoing research to refine dosing strategies and explore novel therapies. Compliance remains paramount for positive outcomes with IDA treatment, with oral supplementation being cost-effective and easily accessible. However, parenteral supplementation proves beneficial for patients intolerant to oral therapy. Addressing IDA through tailored interventions, including oral or parenteral supplementation, is pivotal in averting complications and improving outcomes in HF patients. This paper consolidates insights into the diagnosis, treatment, impact, pathophysiology, clinical outcomes, research gaps, and future directions concerning IDA in HF patients, drawing on extensive literature to offer a comprehensive understanding of this critical issue.

Keywords: Heart failure; clinical outcomes; individualized approach.; intravenous iron therapy; iron deficiency anemia; prognosis.