Anemia and heart failure : Current Opinion in Cardiology (original) (raw)
Heart failure: Edited by Haissam Haddad
Harper University Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Correspondence to Jalal K. Ghali, MD, 3990 John R Street, 9 Webber Core, Suite 9370, Detroit, MI 48201, USA Tel: +1 313 745 7061; fax: +1 313 745 9021; e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Purpose of review
The earlier enthusiasm for raising hemoglobin in heart failure has been followed by skepticism and concern of potential harm from using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).
Recent findings
Several recent studies have confirmed the high prevalence and prognostic role of anemia and have shown encouraging signals of the safety of using ESAs in heart failure and potential benefit that may be related to nonhematopoietic effects of ESAs. In addition, recent studies have also suggested a potential beneficial role of iron replacement in heart failure.
Summary
Despite the encouraging findings of these preliminary studies, the future role of ESAs and iron replacement will be determined by ongoing randomized placebo-controlled studies.
© 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.