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The Role of Correction of Anemia in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure Associated with Chronic Kidney Failure

Department of Nephrology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, donald{at}netvision.net.ilIsrael,

Dov Wexler, MD

Department of Cardiology and Heart Failure, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Adrian Iaina, MD

Department of Nephrology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Doron Schwartz, MD

Department of Nephrology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) who are also anemic have more severe CHF and a higher mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization rate than those who are not anemic. However, it is not known if the anemia is actually contributing to the CHF or if it is merely comorbidity (ie a marker of increased inflammation or chronic kidney disease [CKD]). The only way to demonstrate that anemia is a causative factor is to correct it, independent of other CHF factors. In this paper we review the results of the published papers about correction of anemia in patients with CHF. Taken in sum, these reports show a quite consistent positive effect of erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) along with oral or intravenous (IV) iron or even of IV alone on clinical indicators and clinical outcomes of patients with CHF. More work is needed to clarify the important relationship between anemia, CHF, and CKD.

Key Words: anemia • heart failure • erythropoietin • renal failure • iron

This version was published on December 1, 2008

Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 21, No. 6, 420-423 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0897190008318914


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