Left ventricular ejection fraction recovery in patients with heart failure treated with intravenous iron: a pilot study

Iron Deficiency: A Silent Threat in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background Iron deficiency is a prevalent and clinically significant comorbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Despite its high prevalence, its impact on clinical outcomes, mortality, and various physiological parameters remains a subject of ongoing investigation. The findings of this study are anticipated to contribute valuable insights into the management and prognosis of patients with HFrEF, potentially informing future interventions and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the clinical profile of iron deficiency and its implications on morbidity and mortality in patients with HFrEF. Methodology A prospective cohort study was conducted at King Edward Memorial Hospital, India, involving 371 patients with HFrEF. Participants underwent comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessments, evaluating iron deficiency with signs, symptoms, comorbidities, dyspnea, elevated jugular venous pressure (JVP), past medical history, and various hematological and biochemical parameters. Results Overall, 50% of HFrEF participants were iron deficient (n = 185), of whom 80% (n = 148) had anemia against 43% (n = 81) anemics in iron repletes (n = 186). Of the 185 iron-deficient patients, 44 (11.86%) had absolute iron deficiency and 141 (38%) had functional iron deficiency. Iron deficiency significantly correlated with increased mortality in HFrEF patients (χ2 (1, N = 371) = 3.88, p = 0.048). A large positive correlation was observed between absolute iron deficiency and dyspnea severity (r2 = 0.949, p = 0.026). Statistically significant differences were found in hemoglobin (anemia), serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation between iron-deficient and iron-replete patients (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction between iron-deficient and replete patients was noted. Conclusions Iron deficiency emerges as more than a mere comorbidity in heart failure, becoming a prognostic factor with multifaceted outcomes. Its impact extends beyond cardiovascular consequences, encompassing adverse manifestations such as anemia, ascites, edema, dyspnea, elevated JVP, and a heightened risk of mortality. This intricate interplay positions iron deficiency as a critical determinant, significantly influencing the clinical trajectory and outcomes for patients with HFrEF.

Unresolved aspects in the management of renal anemia, a Delphi consensus of the Anemia Group of the S.E.N

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with a decrease in quality of life and an increased risk of transfusions, morbidity and mortality, and progression of CKD. The Anemia Working Group of the Sociedad Española de Nefrología conducted a Delphi study among experts in anemia in CKD to agree on relevant unanswered questions by existing evidence. The RAND/UCLA consensus methodology was used. We defined 15 questions with a PICO structure, followed by a review in scientific literature databases. Statements to each question were developed based on that literature review. Nineteen experts evaluated them using an iterative Two-Round Delphi-like process. Sixteen statements were agreed in response to 8 questions related to iron deficiency and supplementation with Fe (impact and management of iron deficiency with or without anemia, iron deficiency markers, safety of i.v. iron) and 7 related to erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) and/or hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizers (HIF), reaching consensus on all of them (individualization of the Hb objective, impact and management of resistance to ESA, ESA in the immediate post-transplant period and HIF stabilizers: impact on ferrokinetics, interaction with inflammation and cardiovascular safety). There is a need for clinical studies addressing the effects of correction of iron deficiency independently of anemia and the impact of anemia treatment with various ESA on quality of life, progression of CKD and cardiovascular events.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: a Pharmacotherapeutic Update

While guidelines for management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are consensual and have led to improved survival, treatment options for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain limited and aim primarily for symptom relief and improvement of quality of life. Due to the shortage of therapeutic options, several drugs have been investigated in multiple clinical trials. The majority of these trials have reported disappointing results and have suggested that HFpEF might not be as simply described by ejection fraction as previously though. In fact, HFpEF is a complex clinical syndrome with various comorbidities and overlapping distinct phenotypes that could benefit from personalized therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes the results from the most recent phase III clinical trials for HFpEF and the most promising drugs arising from phase II trials as well as the various challenges that are currently holding back the development of new pharmacotherapeutic options for these patients.

Intravenous iron therapy among patients with heart failure and iron deficiency: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the role of intravenous (IV) iron administration in patients with heart failure (HF) and iron deficiency (ID) have yielded inconsistent results.

Methods

Electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and OVID databases was performed until November 2022 for RCTs that evaluated the role of IV iron administration in patients with HF and ID. The main study outcomes were the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality, and individual outcome of HF hospitalization. Summary estimates were evaluated using random effects model.

Results

The final analysis included 12 RCTs with 3,492 patients (1,831 patients in the IV iron group and 1,661 patients in the control group). The mean follow-up was 8.3 months. IV iron was associated with a lower incidence in the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality (31.9% vs. 45.3%; relative risk [RR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.88) and individual outcome of HF hospitalization (28.4% vs. 42.2; RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.57-0.85). There was no significant difference between both groups in cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.75-1.04) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.83-1.09). IV iron was associated with lower New York Heart Association class and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Meta-regression analyses showed no effect modification for the main outcomes based on age, hemoglobin level, ferritin level or LVEF.

Conclusion

Among patients with HF and ID, IV iron administration was associated with reduction in the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality and driven by a reduction in HF hospitalization.

Why Iron Deficiency in Acute Heart Failure Should Be Treated: A Real-World Clinical Practice Study

Background. This study aims to determine whether the administration of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and iron deficiency (ID) improves morbidity and mortality. Methods. We studied 890 consecutive patients admitted for AHF. Patients were divided into six groups according to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF), presence of ID, and administration of FCM. Emergency visits, re-admissions, and all-cause mortality were assessed at 6 months. Results. The overall prevalence of ID was 91.2%. In the HFrEF group, no differences were found in isolated events when patients with untreated vs. treated ID were compared, while differences were found in the combined event rate (p = 0.049). The risk calculation showed an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 10% and relative risk reduction (RRR) of 18%. In HFpEF there was a positive trend with regard to the combined event (p = 0.107), with an ARR of 9% and an RRR of 15%. The number of patients we needed to treat to prevent a combined event was 10.5 in HFrEF and 10.8 in HFpEF. Conclusions. FCM in AHF reduced the combined event rate of emergency visits, re-admission, and all-cause death at 6 months in HF with left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, and showed a positive trend in HFpEF.

Iron deficiency screening is a key issue in chronic inflammatory diseases: A call to action

Iron deficiency is frequent in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g., chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, cancers, and bowel inflammatory diseases). Indeed, high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines increase hepcidin concentrations that lead to the sequestration of iron in cells of the reticuloendothelial system (functional iron deficiency). Iron parameters are often assessed only in the context of anemia, but iron deficiency, even without anemia, is present in about half of patients with inflammatory conditions. Iron deficiency worsens underlying chronic diseases and is an independent factor of morbidity and mortality. In daily practice, the most effective biomarkers of iron status are serum ferritin, which reflects iron storage, and transferrin saturation, which reflects the transport of iron. Serum ferritin is increased in an inflammatory context, and there is still no consensus on the threshold to be used in chronic inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, recent recommendations of international guidelines agreed to define iron deficiency by serum ferritin &lt;100 µg/L and/or transferrin saturation &lt;20%. Iron parameters remain, however, insufficiently assessed in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions. Indeed, clinical symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, are not specific and often confused with those of the primary disease. Iron repletion, preferably by the intravenous route to bypass tissue sequestration, improves clinical signs and quality of life. Because of the negative impact of iron deficiency on chronic inflammatory diseases and the efficacy of intravenous iron repletion, screening of iron parameters should be part of the routine examination of all patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.

The Effect of Iron Deficiency on Cardiac Function and Structure in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Over the past decade, the detrimental impact of iron deficiency in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction has become abundantly clear, showing a negative impact on functional status, quality of life, cardiac function and structure, exercise capacity and an increased risk of hospitalisation due to heart failure. Mechanistic studies have shown the impact of iron deficiency in altering mitochondrial function and negatively affecting the already altered cardiac energetics in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Such failing energetics form the basis of the alterations to cellular myocyte shortening, culminating in reduced systolic function and cardiac performance. The IRON-CRT trials show that ferric carboxymaltose is capable of improving cardiac structure and cardiac performance. This article discusses the effect of iron deficiency on cardiac function and structure and how it can be alleviated.

Impact of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is a proinflammatory disease often associated with the onset of iron deficiency (ID). ID alters mitochondrial function, reducing the generation of cellular energy in skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes. This study aimed to analyse the response of patients with HF to intravenous iron administration according to the type of HF: preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective, single-centre study of 565 consecutive outpatients diagnosed with HF, recruited over 5 years, who were given intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) for the treatment of ID [defined as ferritin < 100 μg/L or ferritin 100-300 μg/L with transferrin saturation (TSAT) < 20%]. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters were analysed before and after administration. After FCM administration, overall ferritin, TSAT, and haemoglobin levels increased up to 5-fold, 1.6-fold, and 1.1-fold, respectively, relative to baseline values in HF patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (P < 0.0001), with a greater increase in ferritin and TSAT in HFpEF patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction of the overall series improved by 8 percentage points in both types of HF (from 40% to 48%, P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with normalization of right ventricular function increased by 6.9 points (from 74.1% to 81%) in HFpEF patients and by 6.4 points (from 53% to 59.4%) in the HFrEF subgroup (P < 0.0001). New York Heart Association functional status slightly improved, from a median of 2.4 (interquartile range, IQR: 2-2.7) to 1.9 (IQR: 1.5-2.5; P < 0.0001) after FCM in both types of HF. No changes were noted in plasma levels of liver enzymes, creatinine, or natriuretic peptide (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous iron administration appeared to improve ejection fraction and cardiac functional status in outpatients with ID and HF with both preserved and reduced ejection fraction.

Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure: Mechanisms and Pathophysiology

Iron is an essential micronutrient for a myriad of physiological processes in the body beyond erythropoiesis. Iron deficiency (ID) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF), with a prevalence reaching up to 59% even in non-anaemic patients. ID impairs exercise capacity, reduces the quality of life, increases hospitalisation rate and mortality risk regardless of anaemia. Intravenously correcting ID has emerged as a promising treatment in HF as it has been shown to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life and exercise capacity and reduce hospitalisations. However, the pathophysiology of ID in HF remains poorly characterised. Recognition of ID in HF triggered more research with the aim to explain how correcting ID improves HF status as well as the underlying causes of ID in the first place. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in understanding iron homeostasis by characterising the role of the iron-regulating hormone hepcidin, the effects of ID on skeletal and cardiac myocytes, kidneys and the immune system. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge and recent advances in the pathophysiology of ID in heart failure, the deleterious systemic and cellular consequences of ID.

The effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on cardiac reverse remodelling following cardiac resynchronization therapy-the IRON-CRT trial

Aims

Iron deficiency is common in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and negatively affects cardiac function and structure. The study the effect of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on cardiac reverse remodelling and contractile status in HFrEF.

Methods and results

Symptomatic HFrEF patients with iron deficiency and a persistently reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF <45%) at least 6 months after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implant were prospectively randomized to FCM or standard of care (SOC) in a double-blind manner. The primary endpoint was the change in LVEF from baseline to 3-month follow-up assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography. Secondary endpoints included the change in left ventricular end-systolic (LVESV) and end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Cardiac performance was evaluated by the force–frequency relationship as assessed by the slope change of the cardiac contractility index (CCI = systolic blood pressure/LVESV index) at 70, 90, and 110 beats of biventricular pacing. A total of 75 patients were randomized to FCM (n = 37) or SOC (n = 38). At baseline, both treatment groups were well matched including baseline LVEF (34 ± 7 vs. 33 ± 8, P = 0.411). After 3 months, the change in LVEF was significantly higher in the FMC group [+4.22%, 95% confidence interval (CI) +3.05%; +5.38%] than in the SOC group (−0.23%, 95% CI −1.44%; +0.97%; P < 0.001). Similarly, LVESV (−9.72 mL, 95% CI −13.5 mL; −5.93 mL vs. −1.83 mL, 95% CI −5.7 mL; 2.1 mL; P = 0.001), but not LVEDV (P = 0.748), improved in the FCM vs. the SOC group. At baseline, both treatment groups demonstrated a negative force–frequency relationship, as defined by a decrease in CCI at higher heart rates (negative slope). FCM resulted in an improvement in the CCI slope during incremental biventricular pacing, with a positive force–frequency relationship at 3 months. Functional status and exercise capacity, as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and peak oxygen consumption, were improved by FCM.

Conclusions

Treatment with FCM in HFrEF patients with iron deficiency and persistently reduced LVEF after CRT results in an improvement of cardiac function measured by LVEF, LVESV, and cardiac force–frequency relationship.

Iron deficiency in heart failure

Iron deficiency is a major heart failure co‐morbidity present in about 50% of patients with stable heart failure irrespective of the left ventricular function. Along with compromise of daily activities, it also increases patient morbidity and mortality, which is independent of anaemia. Several trials have established parenteral iron supplementation as an important complimentary therapy to improve patient well‐being and physical performance. Intravenous iron preparations, in the first‐line ferric carboxymaltose, demonstrated in previous clinical trials superior clinical effect in comparison with oral iron preparations, improving New York Heart Association functional class, 6 min walk test distance, peak oxygen consumption, and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Beneficial effect of iron deficiency treatment on morbidity and mortality of heart failure patients is waiting for conformation in ongoing trials. Although the current guidelines for treatment of chronic and acute heart failure acknowledge importance of iron deficiency correction and recommend intravenous iron supplementation for its treatment, iron deficiency remains frequently undertreated and insufficiently diagnosed in setting of the chronic heart failure. This paper highlights the current state of the art in the pathophysiology of iron deficiency, associations with heart failure trajectory and outcome, and an overview of current guideline‐suggested treatment options.

Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: From Pathophysiology and Current Treatments, to Future Agents

Anemia is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is associated with a reduced quality of life, and an increased morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms involved in anemia associated to CKD are diverse and complex. They include a decrease in endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) production, absolute and/or functional iron deficiency, and inflammation with increased hepcidin levels, among others. Patients are most commonly managed with oral or intravenous iron supplements and with erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA). However, these treatments have associated risks, and sometimes are insufficiently effective. Nonetheless, in the last years, there have been some remarkable advances in the treatment of CKD-related anemia, which have raised great expectations. On the one hand, a novel family of drugs has been developed: the hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs). These agents induce, among other effects, an increase in the production of endogenous EPO, improve iron availability and reduce hepcidin levels. Some of them have already received marketing authorization. On the other hand, recent clinical trials have elucidated important aspects of iron supplementation, which may change the treatment targets in the future. This article reviews the current knowledge of the pathophysiology CKD-related anemia, current and future therapies, the trends in patient management and the unmet goals.

Iron replacement therapy in the management of anaemia in non-dialysis Chronic kidney disease patients: Perspective of the Spanish Nephrology Society Anaemia Group

This work presents an update on the management of iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), either with or without anaemia. A review is made of the recommendations of the guidelines for the treatment of iron deficiency in CKD. It also presents new studies on iron deficiency in patients with CKD, as well as new findings about iron therapy and its impact on clinical outcomes. Anaemia is a common complication of CRF, and is associated with a decrease in the quality of life of the patients, as well as an increase in morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency (absolute or functional) is common in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients, and may cause anaemia or a low response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. For this reason, the clinical guidelines for the treatment of the anaemia in Nephrology indicate the correction of the deficiency in the presence of anaemia. Iron replacement therapy is indicated in patients with CKD and anaemia (Hb < 12 g/dl) in accordance with the guidelines. There is no unanimity in the indication of iron replacement therapy in patients with Hb > 12 g/dl, regardless of whether they have an absolute or functional iron deficiency. Intravenous iron replacement therapy is safe, more efficient and rapid than oral therapy for achieving an increase haemoglobin lels and reducing the dose of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. For the administration of intravenous iron in non-dialysis chronic renal failure patients a strategy of high doses and low frequency would be preferred on being more convenient for the patient, preserves better the venous capital, and is safe and cost-effective. Iron plays an essential role in energy metabolism and other body functions beyond the synthesis of haemoglobin, for which the iron deficiency, even in the absence of anaemia, could have harmful effects in patients with CKD. The correction of the iron deficiency, in the absence of anaemia is associated with functional improvement in patients with heart failure, and in muscle function or fatigue in patients without CKD. Despite the evidence of benefits in the correction of iron deficiency in patients with CKD, more studies are required to evaluate the impact of the correction of the iron deficiency in the absence of anaemia on morbidity and mortality, quality of life and physical capacity, as well as the long-term effect of oral and intravenous iron replacement therapy in this population.

Short-term changes in left and right systolic function following ferric carboxymaltose: a substudy of the Myocardial-IRON trial

AIMS

The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in patients with heart failure (HF) and iron deficiency (ID) have not been completely characterized. The Myocardial-IRON trial was a double-blind, randomized trial that evaluated myocardial iron repletion following FCM vs. placebo in 53 patients with HF and ID. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated whether treatment with FCM was associated with cardiac magnetic resonance changes in left and right ventricular function (LVEF and RVEF, respectively) at different points of systolic dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included patients from the Myocardial-IRON trial with left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD and RVSD, respectively) at enrolment. Linear mixed regression models were used to evaluate changes at 7 and 30 days on LVEF and RVEF at cardiac magnetic resonance. At enrolment, 27 (50.9%) and 38 (71.7%) patients had LVEF < 40% (LVSD1 ) or <45% (LVSD2 ), respectively, and 10 (18.9%) and 17 (32.1%) patients had RVEF < 45% (RVSD1 ) or <51% in women and <52% in men (RVSD2) , respectively. Treatment with FCM was associated with a significant improvement in LVEF at 30 days (LVSD1 : Δ2.3%, P < 0.001; LVSD2 : Δ4.1, P = 0.014). FCM was also associated with a significant and early improvement in RVEF at 7 days (RVSD1 : Δ6.9%, P = 0.003; RVSD2 : Δ3.2%, P = 0.003) that persisted at 30 days (RVSD1 : Δ8.1%, P < 0.001; RVSD2 : Δ4.7%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HF and systolic dysfunction with ID, FCM was associated with short-term improvement in LVEF and, especially, in RVEF.

Structural and functional abnormalities in iron-depleted heart

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common and ominous comorbidity in heart failure (HF) and predicts worse outcomes, independently of the presence of anaemia. Accumulated data from animal models of systemic ID suggest that ID is associated with several functional and structural abnormalities of the heart. However, the exact role of myocardial iron deficiency irrespective of systemic ID and/or anaemia has been elusive. Recently, several transgenic models of cardiac-specific ID have been developed to investigate the influence of ID on cardiac tissue. In this review, we discuss structural and functional cardiac consequences of ID in these models and summarize data from clinical studies. Moreover, the beneficial effects of intravenous iron supplementation are specified.

Iron Deficiency: Impact on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The effects of iron deficiency (ID) have been widely studied in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. On the other hand, studies in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are few and have included small numbers of participants. The aim of this study was to assess the role that ID plays in functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in HFpEF while comparing several iron-related biomarkers to be used as potential predictors. ID was defined as ferritin <100 ng/mL or transferrin saturation <20%. Submaximal exercise capacity, measured by the 6-min walking test (6MWT), and QoL, assessed by the Minnesotta Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), were compared between iron deficient patients and patients with normal iron status. A total of 447 HFpEF patients were included in the present cross-sectional study, and ID prevalence was 73%. Patients with ID performed worse in the 6MWT compared to patients with normal iron status (ID 271 ± 94 m vs. non-ID 310 ± 108 m, p < 0.01). They also scored higher in the MLHFQ, denoting worse QoL (ID 49 ± 22 vs. non-ID 43 ± 23, p = 0.01). Regarding iron metabolism biomarkers, serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) was the strongest independent predictor of functional capacity (β = −63, p < 0.0001, R² 0.39) and QoL (β = 7.95, p < 0.0001, R² 0.14) in multivariate models. This study postulates that ID is associated with worse functional capacity and QoL in HFpEF as well, and that sTfR is the best iron-related biomarker to predict both. Our study also suggests that the effects of ID could differ among HFpEF patients by left ventricular ejection fraction.

Noninvasive Imaging Estimation of Myocardial Iron Repletion Following Administration of Intravenous Iron: The Myocardial-IRON Trial

Background

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) improves symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in heart failure and iron deficiency. The mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to examine changes in myocardial iron content after FCM administration in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency using cardiac magnetic resonance.

Methods and Results

Fifty‐three stable heart failure and iron deficiency patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous FCM or placebo in a multicenter, double‐blind study. T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences, noninvasive surrogates of intramyocardial iron, were evaluated before and 7 and 30 days after randomization using linear mixed regression analysis. Results are presented as least‐square means with 95% CI. The primary end point was the change in T2* and T1 mapping at 7 and 30 days. Median age was 73 (65–78) years, with N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, ferritin, and transferrin saturation medians of 1690 pg/mL (1010–2828), 63 ng/mL (22–114), and 15.7% (11.0–19.2), respectively. Baseline T2* and T1 mapping values did not significantly differ across treatment arms. On day 7, both T2* and T1 mapping (ms) were significantly lower in the FCM arm (36.6 [34.6–38.7] versus 40 [38–42.1], P=0.025; 1061 [1051–1072] versus 1085 [1074–1095], P=0.001, respectively). A similar reduction was found at 30 days for T2* (36.3 [34.1–38.5] versus 41.1 [38.9–43.4], P=0.003), but not for T1 mapping (1075 [1065–1085] versus 1079 [1069–1089], P=0.577).

Conclusions

In patients with heart failure and iron deficiency, FCM administration was associated with changes in the T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences, indicative of myocardial iron repletion.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03398681.

The difference in referencing in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar

AIMS

How often a medical article is cited is important for many people because it is used to calculate different variables such as the h-index and the journal impact factor. The aim of this analysis was to assess how the citation count varies between Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Google Scholar in the current literature.

METHODS

We included the top 50 cited articles of four journals ESC Heart Failure; Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle; European Journal of Preventive Cardiology; and European Journal of Heart Failure in our analysis that were published between 1 January 2016 and 10 October 2019. We recorded the number of citations of these articles according to WoS, Scopus, and Google Scholar on 10 October 2019.

RESULTS

The top 50 articles in ESC Heart Failure were on average cited 12 (WoS), 13 (Scopus), and 17 times (Google Scholar); in Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle 37 (WoS), 43 (Scopus), and 60 times (Google Scholar); in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology 41 (WoS), 56 (Scopus), and 67 times (Google Scholar); and in European Journal of Heart Failure 76 (WoS), 108 (Scopus), and 230 times (Google Scholar). On average, the top 50 articles in all four journals were cited 41 (WoS), 52 (Scopus, 26% higher citations count than WoS, range 8-42% in the different journals), and 93 times (Google Scholar, 116% higher citation count than WoS, range 42-203%).

CONCLUSION

Scopus and Google Scholar on average have a higher citation count than WoS, whereas the difference is much larger between Google Scholar and WoS.

Open access efforts begin to bloom: ESC Heart Failure gets full attention and first impact factor

In 2014, the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) founded the first open access journal focusing on heart failure, called ESC Heart Failure (ESC-HF). In the first 5 years, in ESC-HF we published more than 450 articles. Through ESC-HF, the HFA gives room for heart failure research output from around the world. A transfer process from the European Journal of Heart Failure to ESC-HF has also been installed. As a consequence, in 2018 ESC-HF received 289 submissions, and published 148 items (acceptance rate 51%). The journal is listed in Scopus since 2014 and on the PubMed website since 2015. In 2019, we received our first impact factor from ISI Web of Knowledge / Thomson-Reuters, which is 3.407 for 2018. This report reviews which papers get best cited. Not surprisingly, many of the best cited papers are reviews and facts & numbers mini reviews, but original research is also well cited.

Rationale and design of the IRON-CRT trial: effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on reverse remodelling following cardiac resynchronization therapy

AIMS

Iron deficiency is common in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), it is associated with a diminished reverse remodelling response and poor functional improvement. The latter is partially related to a loss in contractile force at higher heart rates (negative force-frequency relationship).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on reverse remodelling following cardiac resynchronization therapy (IRON-CRT) trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial in HFrEF patients who experienced incomplete reverse remodelling (defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction below <45%) at least 6 months after CRT. Additionally, patients need to have iron deficiency defined as a ferritin below 100 μg/L irrespective of transferrin saturation or a ferritin between 100 and 300 μg/L with a transferrin saturation <20%. Patients will be randomized to either intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (dose based according to Summary of Product Characteristics) or intravenous placebo. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of ferric carboxymaltose on metrics of cardiac reverse remodelling and contractility, measured by the primary endpoint, change in left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by three-dimensional (3D) echo from baseline to 3 month follow-up and the secondary endpoints change in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volume. The secondary objective is to determine if ferric carboxymaltose is capable of improving cardiac contractility in vivo, by assessing the force-frequency relationship through incremental biventricular pacing. A total of 100 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion.

CONCLUSIONS

The IRON-CRT trial will determine the effect of ferric carboxymaltose on cardiac reverse remodelling and rate-dependent cardiac contractility in HFrEF patients.

The Burden of Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure: Therapeutic Approach

Heart failure (HF) is highlighted by its burdening symptom-limited exercise capacity and recurrent hospitalizations. Despite substantial advances regarding disease-modifying drugs in HF with reduced ejection fraction, additional therapeutic strategies to improve quality of life are invaluable. Currently, iron deficiency (ID) is overwhelmingly recognized in over 30% to 50% of patients with stable chronic HF, which worsens prognosis. The established pathophysiological mechanisms of progressive HF may be intertwined with increasing myocardial iron scarcity, wherein one begets the other. Most importantly, ID constitutes a novel target for symptom relief in carefully selected patients. In this regard, intravenous iron may be a safe and efficacious intervention, potentially reducing HF hospitalizations. We discuss the evidence and gaps in knowledge concerning iron therapy in HF and propose a practical, comprehensive, clinically oriented algorithm for timely adequate iron replenishment in different clinical scenarios. Finally, we further debate imperative decision-making before intervention and the drawbacks of such a strategy.

Modern-day cardio-oncology: a report from the 'Heart Failure and World Congress on Acute Heart Failure 2018'

During the ‘Heart Failure and World Congress on Acute Heart Failure 2018’, many sessions and lectures focused on cardio‐oncology. This important field of research is constantly growing, and therefore, a great amount of time during the congress focused on it. Prevention and early recognition of side effects is very important in cancer patients. One of the most common and potentially severe problems during antineoplastic therapy is cardiotoxicity. Hence, cardio‐oncology is vital in managing cancer patients. This paper will summarize the topics discussed in three main sessions and many additional lectures throughout the ‘Heart Failure and World Congress on Acute Heart Failure 2018’. The covered topics included pathophysiological mechanisms in the development of heart failure, risk factors, and early signs of cardiotoxicity detectable with different circulating and imaging biomarkers, as well as cardioprotective treatments recommended by different guidelines and position papers.

Metabolic disorders in heart failure and cancer

In an aging population, the number of patients affected by heart failure and cancer is constantly increasing and together these two conditions account for more than 50% of all deaths worldwide. Both diseases share similar risk factors including smoking, obesity, and hypertension. Presenting symptoms may also be similar, with patients frequently complaining of dyspnea, fatigue, and anorexia. Many affected patients, especially those with more advanced heart failure or cancer, suffer also from metabolic disorders. These can lead eventually to muscle wasting, sarcopenia, and cachexia. These complications are associated with increased morbidity, a poorer quality of life, a worse prognosis and indeed they represent an independent risk factor for the advancement of the underlying disease itself. Very few therapeutic options have been established to treat these co-morbidities. For sarcopenia the only validated treatment is resistance training. Moreover, there is currently no guideline recommended therapy for the treatment of cachexia. New treatment strategies are urgently needed to prevent and treat muscle and wasting disorders in patients with chronic diseases such as cancer and chronic heart failure.

Iron deficiency as energetic insult to skeletal muscle in chronic diseases

Specific skeletal myopathy constitutes a common feature of heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, where it can be characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. There is evidence from in vitro and animal studies that iron deficiency affects skeletal muscle functioning mainly in the context of its energetics by limiting oxidative metabolism in favour of glycolysis and by alterations in both carbohydrate and fat catabolic processing. In this review, we depict the possible molecular pathomechanisms of skeletal muscle energetic impairment and postulate iron deficiency as an important factor causally linked to loss of muscle oxidative capacity that contributes to skeletal myopathy seen in patients with heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Iron deficiency and long-term mortality in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome

AIM

We evaluated the relationship between iron deficiency (ID) and long-term mortality risk in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, we included 252 patients older than 65 years with ACS. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) and ferritin were collected before discharge.

RESULTS

Mean age, hemoglobin and GRACE score were 78 ± 7 years, 12.4 ± 1.8 g/dl and 138.8 ± 25.3, respectively, 112(44.4%) patients were women, and 151(59.9%) presented ID. During the follow-up, 121 (48%) patients died. Mortality rates among TSAT quartiles were: 2.38, 1.60, 0.90 and 0.95 × 10 person-years for Q1TSAT to Q4TSAT, respectively (p < 0.001) and did not differ across ferritin quartiles (p = 0.601), whereas ID definition was borderline associated (p = 0.060). Adjusted TSAT levels remained inverse, nonlinearly associated with long-term mortality risk (p < 0.001), with an exponential increased-risk from values about 20% and below.

CONCLUSION

Lower TSAT levels were independently associated with increased mortality risk in these patients.

[Iron deficiency in heart failure. A new diagnostic therapy algorithm - evidence-tested and workable]

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency is a diagnostic and therapy-requiring comorbidity in heart failure with a negative impact on the prognosis. Even without signs of anemia, iron deficiency can lead to reduced performance with physical weakness and dyspnoea in patients with chronic heart failure.

METHOD

Well-known cardiologists discussed this at an expert meeting on the topic of iron deficiency in heart failure.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Despite the high relevance for patients' outcome, this complication is still under-addressed, although specific diagnosis and effective therapy are possible and are also recommended in current ESC guidelines. A new evidence-tested algorithm should now help to facilitate diagnosis and therapy in everyday practice. The prerequisite is that it can be well integrated into clinical routine.

Changes in myocardial iron content following administration of intravenous iron (Myocardial-IRON): Study design

Treatment with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has been shown to improve symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency. However, the underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects remain undetermined. The aim of this study is to quantify cardiac magnetic resonance changes in myocardial iron content after administration of intravenous FCM in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency and contrast them with parameters of heart failure severity. This is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study. Fifty patients with stable symptomatic heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, and iron deficiency will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous FCM or placebo. Intramyocardial iron will be evaluated by T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences before and at 7 and 30 days after FCM. After 30 days, patients assigned to placebo will receive intravenous FCM in case of persistent iron deficiency. The main endpoint will be changes from baseline in myocardial iron content at 7 and 30 days. Secondary endpoints will include the correlation of these changes with left ventricular ejection fraction, functional capacity, quality of life, and cardiac biomarkers. The results of this study will add important knowledge about the effects of intravenous FCM on myocardial tissue and cardiac function. We hypothesize that short-term (7 and 30 days) myocardial iron content changes after intravenous FCM, evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance, will correlate with simultaneous changes in parameters of heart failure severity. The study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03398681).

Cardiac Remodeling in Structure and Function Six Months After Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease accounts for 35% to 50% of the causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease. The majority of patients in substitution therapy in Mexico are subdialyzed owing to limited economic resources. This produces more cardiac deterioration than described in the statistics and has a direct impact on the prognosis of kidney transplantation. The aim of this work was to demonstrate and to quantify the improvement in the echocardiographic parameters 6 months after renal transplantation in patients with stable renal function.

METHODS

This was an observational, analytic, prospective study of 23 patients with chronic kidney disease who received transplants in 2016 and had a glomerular filtration rate ≥80 mL/min (Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration) 6 months after transplantation.

RESULTS

Echocardiographic results showed an increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 57.17 ± 10.46% to 64.09 ± 9.8%, an increase in the right ventricular ejection fraction from 0.56 ± 0.09% to 0.60 ± 0.08% and a reduction of the pulmonary arterial systolic pressure from 44.57 ± 13.88 mm Hg to 39.74 ± 11.04 mm Hg. There were also decreases in mitral regurgitation from 1.0 to 0.43, tricuspid insufficiency from 1.35 to 0.43, pulmonary insufficiency from 0.48 to 0.04, and aortic insufficiency from 0.35 to 0.04, all of these significant with P < .05.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant improvement in cardiovascular function in our population 6 months after transplantation, despite the fact that renal transplantation is performed with greater cardiac deterioration than described in patients in other countries.

Iron deficiency impairs contractility of human cardiomyocytes through decreased mitochondrial function

AIMS

Iron deficiency is common in patients with heart failure and associated with a poor cardiac function and higher mortality. How iron deficiency impairs cardiac function on a cellular level in the human setting is unknown. This study aims to determine the direct effects of iron deficiency and iron repletion on human cardiomyocytes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes were depleted of iron by incubation with the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Mitochondrial respiration was determined by Seahorse Mito Stress test, and contractility was directly quantified using video analyses according to the BASiC method. The activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes was examined using spectrophotometric enzyme assays. Four days of iron depletion resulted in an 84% decrease in ferritin (P < 0.0001) and significantly increased gene expression of transferrin receptor 1 and divalent metal transporter 1 (both P < 0.001). Mitochondrial function was reduced in iron-deficient cardiomyocytes, in particular ATP-linked respiration and respiratory reserve were impaired (both P < 0.0001). Iron depletion affected mitochondrial function through reduced activity of the iron-sulfur cluster containing complexes I, II and III, but not complexes IV and V. Iron deficiency reduced cellular ATP levels by 74% (P < 0.0001) and reduced contractile force by 43% (P < 0.05). The maximum velocities during both systole and diastole were reduced by 64% and 85%, respectively (both P < 0.001). Supplementation of transferrin-bound iron recovered functional and morphological abnormalities within 3 days.

CONCLUSION

Iron deficiency directly affects human cardiomyocyte function, impairing mitochondrial respiration, and reducing contractility and relaxation. Restoration of intracellular iron levels can reverse these effects.

Heart Failure with Myocardial Recovery - The Patient Whose Heart Failure Has Improved: What Next?

In an important number of heart failure (HF) patients substantial or complete myocardial recovery occurs. In the strictest sense, myocardial recovery is a return to both normal structure and function of the heart. HF patients with myocardial recovery or recovered ejection fraction (EF; HFrecEF) are a distinct population of HF patients with different underlying etiologies, demographics, comorbidities, response to therapies and outcomes compared to HF patients with persistent reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Improvement of left ventricular EF has been systematically linked to improved quality of life, lower rehospitalization rates and mortality. However, mortality and morbidity in HFrecEF patients remain higher than in the normal population. Also, persistent abnormalities in biomarker and gene expression profiles in these patients lends weight to the hypothesis that pathological processes are ongoing. Currently, there remains a lack of data to guide the management of HFrecEF patients. This review will discuss specific characteristics, pathophysiology, clinical implications and future needs for HFrecEF.

Technological advances shed light on left ventricular cardiac disturbances in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common autosomal recessive lethal disease in Caucasians, causes chronic pulmonary disease and can lead to cor pulmonale with right ventricular dysfunction. The presence of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in cardiac myocardia has prompted debate regarding possible defective ion channel-induced cardiomyopathy. Clinical heart disease in CF is considered rare and is restricted to case reports. It has been unclear if this is due to the lack of physiological importance of CFTR in the heart, the relatively short lifespan of those with CF, or a technical inability to detect subclinical disease. Extensive echocardiographic investigations have yielded contradictory results, leading to the dogma that left ventricular defects in CF occur secondary to lung disease. In this review, we consider why studies examining heart function in CF have not provided clarity on this topic. We then focus on data from new echocardiographic and magnetic resonance imaging technology, which are providing greater insight into cardiac function in CF and demonstrating that, in addition to secondary effects from pulmonary disease, there may be an intrinsic primary defect in the CF heart. With advancing lifespans and activity levels, understanding the risk of cardiac disease is vital to minimizing morbidity in adults with CF.

Left ventricular ejection fraction recovery in patients with heart failure treated with intravenous iron: a pilot study

Aims

In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and iron deficiency, treatment with intravenous iron has shown a clinical improvement regardless of anaemic status. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T2* sequence has shown a potential utility for evaluating myocardial iron deficiency. We aimed to evaluate whether T2* sequence significantly changes after ferric carboximaltose (FCM) administration, and if such changes correlate with changes in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods and results

In this pilot study, we included eight patients with chronic symptomatic (New York Heart Association II–III) HFrEF and iron deficiency. A CMR, including T2* analysis, was performed before and at a median of 43 days (interquartile range = 35–48) after intravenous FCM administration. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient (r) was used for bivariate contrast as appropriate. A partial correlation analysis was performed between ΔLVEF and ΔT2* while controlling for anaemia status at baseline. Anaemia was present in half of patients. After FCM administration, T2* decreased from a median of 39.5 (35.9–48) to 32 ms (32–34.5), P = 0.012. Simultaneously, a borderline increase in median of LVEF [40% (36–44.5) to 48.5% (38.5–53), P = 0.091] was registered. In a bivariate correlational analysis, ΔT2* was highly correlated with ΔLVEF (r = −0.747, P = 0.033). After controlling for anaemia at baseline, the association between ΔT2* and ΔLVEF persisted [r(partial): −0.865, R²(partial): 0.748, P = 0.012]. A median regression analysis backed‐up these findings.

Conclusions

In a small sample of patients with HFrEF and iron deficiency, myocardial iron repletion assessed by CMR was associated to left ventricular remodelling. Further studies are warranted.