The prevalence and clinical significance of anemia in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure
Abstract In a cohort of patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (AHF) the prevalence of anemia and the existence of a correlation between anemia and the severity of the clinical picture were assessed. Methods. 50 consecutive patients (34 men, 16 women, mean age 67.5 years) hospitalized with AHF were enrolled. Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-square test, for studying univariate correlation between anemia and the presence of diverse parameters reflecting the severity and prognosis of AHF (α=0.05). Results. 21 patients (14 men, 7 women, mean age 69.6 years), representing 42%, had anemia (Hb<12 g/dl) at admission. Comparing patients with and without anemia there were no significant differences regarding age, gender, presence of atrial fibrillation (p=0.75), diabetes (p=1), ischemic heart disease (p=0.9), ejection fraction < 35% (p=1), hypotension at admission (p=0.34), tachycardia>100 b/min at admission (p=0.75), creatinine level >1.5mg% (p=0.12), and need of high dose of loop diuretic >80 mg/day (p=0.23). Conclusions. Anemia is a frequent finding in patients hospitalized with AHF. The presence of anemia was not correlated with other factors related to AHF severity and prognosis. This fact suggests its independent role in influencing the clinical picture and prognosis.