Hemoglobin Kinetics and Long-term Prognosis in Heart Failure

The effect of the four pharmacological pillars of heart failure on haemoglobin level

Anaemia, a condition characterized by low levels of haemoglobin, is frequently observed in patients with heart failure (HF). Guideline-directed medical therapy improves HF outcomes by using medications like beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers, along with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. In this study, we aimed to review the pathophysiology of anaemia in patients with HF and present the current evidence regarding the relationship between the main recommended medications for these patients and haemoglobin levels. The authors conducted a comprehensive search in the medical literature for relevant original clinical articles in which the four pharmacological pillars of HF were given to the patients; we, then, assessed whether the association of use of these medications and haemoglobin level or development of anaemia was provided. These common medications have been shown in the literature that may exacerbate or ameliorate anaemia. Besides, it has been shown that even in the case that they result in the development of anaemia, their use is associated with positive effects that outweigh this potential harm. The literature also suggests that among patients receiving medications with negative effects on the level of haemoglobin, there was no difference in the rate of mortality between anaemic and non-anaemic patients when both were on treatment for anaemia; this point highlights the importance of the detection and treatment of anaemia in these patients. Further research is needed to explore these relationships and identify additional strategies to mitigate the risk of anaemia in this population.

Impact of persistent anaemia on mortality in patients hospitalised with acute pulmonary embolism: an Australian retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

Anaemia is associated with increased mortality in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients. However, prior studies have not examined the prognostic impact of trends in plasma haemoglobin during admission. This study investigates the impact of changes in haemoglobin level on mortality during hospital stay in acute PE.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Tertiary-referral centre in Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive patients from 2000 to 2012 admitted with confirmed acute PE were identified from a dedicated PE database. Haemoglobin levels on days 1, 3-4, 5-6 and 7 of admission were retrieved. Patients without both baseline haemoglobin and subsequent haemoglobin levels were excluded (n=327), leaving 1099 patients as the study cohort. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <130 g/L for men and <120 g/L for women. There were 576 patients without anaemia throughout admission, 65 with transient anaemia (anaemic on day 1, but subsequently normalised during admission), 122 with acquired anaemia (normal on day 1 but developed anaemia during admission) and 336 with persistent anaemia. A total of 71 patients received blood transfusion during admission.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

6-month mortality was tracked from a state-wide death database and analysed using multivariable modelling.

RESULTS

After adjusting for transfusion, patietns with persistent anaemia had a significantly increased 6-month mortality risk (adjusted HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.09, p=0.003) compared with patients without anaemia. There was no difference in mortality between patients with transient or acquired anaemia and patients without anaemia.

CONCLUSION

Among patients who had anaemia during their admission for acute PE, only the subgroup with persistent anaemia demonstrated worse outcomes.

Comorbidities, Fragility, and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients With Midrange Ejection Fraction

Objective

To assess the effects of comorbidities, fragility, and quality of life (QOL) on long-term prognosis in ambulatory patients with heart failure (HF) with midrange left ventricular ejection fraction (HFmrEF), an unexplored area.

Patients and Methods

Consecutive patients prospectively evaluated at an HF clinic between August 1, 2001, and December 31, 2015, were retrospectively analyzed on the basis of left ventricular ejection fraction category. We compared patients with HFmrEF (n=185) to those with reduced (HFrEF; n=1058) and preserved (HFpEF; n=162) ejection fraction. Fragility was defined as 1 or more abnormal evaluations on 4 standardized geriatric scales (Barthel Index, Older Americans Resources and Services scale, Pfeiffer Test, and abbreviated-Geriatric Depression Scale). The QOL was assessed with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. A comorbidity score (0-7) was constructed. All-cause death, HF-related hospitalization, and the composite end point of both were assessed.

Results

Comorbidities and QOL scores were similar in HFmrEF (2.41±1.5 and 30.1±18.3, respectively) and HFrEF (2.30±1.4 and 30.8±18.5, respectively) and were higher in HFpEF (3.02±1.5, P<.001, and 36.5±20.7, P=.003, respectively). No statistically significant differences in fragility between HFmrEF (48.6%) and HFrEF (41.9%) (P=.09) nor HFpEF (54.3%) (P=.29) were found. In univariate analysis, the association of comorbidities, QOL, and fragility with the 3 end points was higher for HFmrEF than for HFrEF and HFpEF. In multivariate analysis, comorbidities were independently associated with the 3 end points (P≤.001), and fragility was independently associated with all-cause death and the composite end point (P<.001) in HFmrEF.

Conclusion

Comorbidities and fragility are independent predictors of outcomes in ambulatory patients with HFmrHF and should be considered in the routine clinical assessment of HFmrEF.

Anemia is a mortality prognostic factor in patients initially hospitalized for acute heart failure

Anemia is a risk factor related to morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Less is known about its influence in patients in an early stage of HF. Our aim is to investigate the prognostic role of anemia in patients initially hospitalized for acute HF. We reviewed all consecutive patients admitted within a 18-month period with a main diagnosis of acute HF. We collected demographic, clinical and treatment data. Anemia is defined as Hemoglobin <12/13 g/dL upon admission in female/male patients, respectively. 719 patients were included (55.5% female), with a mean age of 78.7 ± 9 years. Anemia was present in 59.6% of patients upon admission, with a mean Hb of 10.4 ± 1.4 g/dL. Multivariate analysis confirms the relationship between the presence of anemia and older age, a previous diagnostic history of diabetes, and the presence of chronic kidney disease. In-hospital mortality is similar for anemic and non-anemic patients (6.8 vs 3.8%, p = n.s.) However, the difference is significant when one-year mortality is evaluated (31% in anemic patients vs 19% in non-anemic patients, p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis confirms the association between anemia and higher risk of one-year mortality, as well as with older age and a higher Charlson comorbidity index. Our study confirms that the presence of anemia is an independent factor for mid-term (1-year) mortality even in patients experiencing a first admission due to acute HF.