Red cell distribution width: a powerful prognostic marker in heart failure

Predicting of neuropsychosis in carbon monoxide poisoning according to the plasma troponin, COHb, RDW and MPV levels: Neuropsychoses in carbon monoxide poisoning

OBJECTIVE

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is very common worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictivity of neuro psychosis in carbon monoxide poisoning by the admission levels of red cell distribution (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and troponin I levels which can be measured quickly and easily in the emergency department (ED).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This single center observational study included a total of 216 consecutive patients who presented to the ED due to CO poisoning between January 2009 and December 2013. The diagnosis of CO poisoning was made according to the medical history and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level of >5%. According to the carboxyhemoglobin levels, the patients were classified as mildly (COHb < 20%) and severely poisoned (COHb > 20%). In addition, patients were divided into 2 groups, i.e., those with positive (>0.05 ng/mL for our laboratory) and negative (<0.05 ng/mL for our laboratory) troponin levels.

RESULTS

Patients mean age was 52.58 ± 10.58. 57.9% of the patients had high troponin levels and 51.9% were poisoned severely according to COHb levels. Patients with positive troponin and COHb had longer CO exposure time and higher neutrophil, lymphocyte, mean platelet volume (MPV), COHb and red cell distribution width (RDW) levels at the index admission following CO poisoning than patients with negative troponin (p < 0.05). Age, COHb level, CO exposure time, MPV and RDW (p = 0.001, p < 0.05) remained associated with an increased risk of troponin positivity following adjustment for the variables that were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients presenting to the ED with CO poisoning, RDW and MPV can be helpful for risk stratification of neuropsychosis.

Red blood cell distribution width as a prognostic marker in patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus

Background

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is an established prognostic marker in acute and chronic heart failure (HF). Recent studies have pointed out a link among RDW, diabetes mellitus (DM) and inflammation. We sought to investigate the prognostic value and longitudinal pattern of RDW in patients with concomitant HF and DM, which remains unknown.

Methods

A total of 218 patients (71 diabetics) who presented with acute HF had RDW measured at admission, discharge and 4, 8 and 12 months post-discharge. The study endpoint was all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for HF during 1-year follow-up.

Results

The study endpoint was met in 33 patients (46.5%) with DM and in 54 patients (36.7%) without DM. RDW at admission was associated with higher event rate both in HF patients with and without DM (adjusted HR: 1.349, p = 0.002, 95% CI 1.120–1.624 and adjusted HR: 1.142, p = 0.033, 95% CI 1.011–1.291 respectively). In addition, a significant interaction was found between diabetes and RDW longitudinal changes (β_interaction = −0.002; SE = 0.001; p = 0.042).

Conclusions

Despite the similar prognostic significance of RDW in diabetic and non-diabetic HF patients regarding the study endpoint, longitudinal changes were found to be significantly different between these two groups of HF patients. This might be due to the higher inflammatory burden that diabetic HF patients carry and may provide new insights to the pathophysiological mechanism of RDW increase in HF, which remains unknown.

Red blood cell distribution width is a survival predictor beyond anemia and Nt-ProBNP in stable optimally medicated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction outpatients

BACKGROUND

RDW is an automatic value obtained with the blood count, and represents the erythrocytes dimension variation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate in optimally medicated outpatients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) the RDW prognostic value regarding survival in a multivariable model including anemia and Nt-ProBNP.

METHODS

233 consecutive outpatients, LVEF <40%, clinically stable were followed-up for 3-years in an HF Unit. End-point was all-cause death. The RDW categorized according to the tertiles (T1 = <13.9; T2 14-15.2; T3> = 15.3). Anemia classified according to the WHO criteria. Cox survival model adjusted for clinical profile, optimal therapeutic, renal function, Nt-ProBNP, etiology, atrial fibrillation, and anemia.

RESULTS

(1) The 3-years death rate was 33.5%, and increased with the RDW tertiles (17.3%; 25%; 61.1%; p < 0.001). (2) The ROC curve for death associated with RDW (AUC 0.73; p < 0.001); (3) The adjusted death risk increased with the tertiles (Hazard-ratio '[HR] = 1.61; IC 95% 1.09-2.39; p = 0.017). RDW> = 15.3 had greater adjusted death risk than T1 (HR = 2.18; 95% CI 0.99-4.8; p = 0.05) and T1+T2 (HR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.13-2.09; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

RDW determined in optimally medicated outpatients with HFrEF, during dry-state, is a strong, cheap, and independent predictor of long-term survival.

Long-Term Survival and Apolipoprotein A1 Level in Chronic Heart Failure: Interaction With Tumor Necrosis Factor α -308 G/A Polymorphism

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), a major constituent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), has antiinflammatory and antioxidative properties and plays a prognostic role in chronic heart failure (CHF). Despite increased tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) levels being linked to worse outcome of HF, the results are ambiguous about the association of functionally active 308 promoter polymorphism of the TNFα gene. The aims of our study were to investigate the association of ApoA1 and TNFα levels with mortality and to evaluate potential interaction between these factors and TNFα -308 polymorphism.

METHODS

Together with several parameters ApoA1, TNFα levels and TNFα-308 polymorphism were determined in a cohort of 195 patients with CHF who were followed for 5 years.

RESULTS

Low ApoA1 and high TNFα levels were associated with more severe disease, and ApoA1 showed the strongest relationship with HDL, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). TNFα -308 A carriers had significantly higher ApoA1 levels than wild-type (GG) patients (1.41 ± 0.268 vs 1.29 ± 0.324 g/L; P = .007), whereas levels of TNFα were the same in these groups. Decreased ApoA1 levels were significant predictors of 5-year mortality (NT-proBNP-adjusted HR for 1 decile decrease in ApoA1 level was 1.10 (P = .011). Interaction was found between the ApoA1 level and TNFα -308 polymorphism, because in patients with GG haplotype the adverse effect of low ApoA1 level on survival was more prevalent.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower ApoA1 levels were strongly associated with adverse outcome in CHF patients in a TNFα -308 polymorphism dependent manner. These observations support the complex involvement of malnutrition and inflammation in the pathogenesis of CHF.

Red cell distribution width predicts short- and long-term outcomes of acute congestive heart failure more effectively than hemoglobin

The present study compared short- and long-term prognostic values of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with those of hemoglobin (Hgb) among patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF) in a cardiac care unit. The cross-sectional study examined data from 521 patients with acute CHF who were admitted to a cardiac care unit and followed up for 24 months (median). Mean Hgb levels in patients who succumbed (DIH) or remained alive (AIH) were 11.0±1.8 and 11.8±2.6 g/l (P>0.05), respectively. Median values of RDW were 16.2% and 14.4%, respectively (P<0.0001). During the 24-month follow-up, mean levels of Hgb in groups with and without endpoints were 11.4±2.5 and 12.5±2.4 g/dl (P<0.0001), respectively. Median RDW values were 14.9 and 13.8%, respectively (P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with RDW (P=0.044), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV (P=0.0037), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P=0.042) and C-reactive protein (P=0.0044), but not with Hgb (P=0.10). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model selected RDW [hazard ratio (HR), 2.19; P<0.0001], left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.81, P=0.0016), age (10-year increase; HR 1.19, P=0.0017) and NYHA functional classes III/IV (HR 1.52, P=0.0029) as independent predictors of long-term outcomes after adjustment, but not Hgb (HR 1.01, P=0.86). Higher RDW values in acute CHF patients at admission were associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes and RDW values were more prognostically relevant than Hgb levels.

Elevated red cell distribution width is associated with delayed postoperative recovery after correction of Tetralogy of Fallot

Objective:

To study the impact of red cell distribution width (RDW) on postoperative recovery after correction of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

Background:

Increased RDW indicates dysregulated erythropoiesis and predicts survival in critical illnesses that include idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension and chronic heart failure. Myocardial injury and oxidative stress induced by cardiopulmonary bypass potentially contribute to prolonged recovery in post TOF repair patients.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective analysis of data on 94 consecutive children with TOF undergoing corrective repair (January 2010-March 2011) was done. RDW was higher for the study population when compared to acyanotic patients with ventricular septal defect (17.7 ± 3.7 vs. 16.2 ± 4.2; P < 0.001). The mean RDW obtained from 100 separate age-, sex-, and weight-matched TOF patients (17.8) was chosen as a cut-off. Of 93 survivors (median age: 12 (4-204) months, weight: 8.6 (3.2-70) kg), 29 patients with higher RDW (> 17.8) had a longer ICU stay (155.6 ± 71.3 vs. 122.4 ± 61.3 hours, P = 0.02), hospital stay (18.6 ± 10.5 days vs. 13.4 ± 6.5 days, P = 0.01), ventilation time (57.9 ± 41.6 vs. 38.3 ± 30.8 hours, P = 0.01), and more surgical site infection (24.1% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis only elevated RDW (other variables included age, weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and surgical support times) showed a significant association with hospital stay.

Conclusions:

Elevated RDW appears to be associated with prolonged recovery after TOF repair, the precise underlying mechanisms are worth investigating.

Red blood cell distribution width is longitudinally associated with mortality and anemia in heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been found to be an independent predictor for adverse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF), but there are no data on the association of longitudinal RDW with all-cause mortality and occurrence of anemia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

1,702 patients discharged from a previous admission for acute HF (AHF) were included. RDW was measured during the available longitudinal history of the patient. Joint modeling and Multistate Markov were used for the analysis. The median RDW at baseline was 15.0% (IQR: 14.0-16.5), and 45.6% of patients had anemia. At a median follow-up of 1.5 years (IQR: 0.45-3.25), 713 patients died. The last RDW-trajectory value and cumulative RDW-trajectory mean were predictive of mortality (HR, 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12-1.24; and HR, 1.12; 95% CI: 1.08-1.16, respectively; P<0.001 for both). This effect, however, varied according the anemia status (P for interaction<0.001), being more pronounced in absence of anemia [HR=1.31 (95% CI: 1.22-1.42) and HR=1.48 (95% CI: 1.33-1.64)] compared to those with anemia [HR=1.08 (95% CI: 1.04-1.13), 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06-1.18)]. Longitudinal RDW (per 1% increasing) was also independently associated with incident anemia [HR=1.10 (95% CI: 1.03-1.18) P=0.002].

CONCLUSIONS

Following an admission for AHF, higher longitudinal RDW values over time were associated to an increased risk for both developing anemia and dying. The effect on mortality was more pronounced among non-anemic patients.  

Elevated red cell distribution width is associated with advanced fibrosis in NAFLD

Background/Aims

The red-blood-cell distribution width (RDW) is a newly recognized risk marker in patients with cardiovascular disease, but its role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been well defined. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between RDW values and the level of fibrosis in NAFLD according to BARD and FIB-4 scores.

Methods

This study included 24,547 subjects who had been diagnosed with NAFLD based on abdominal ultrasonography and questionnaires about alcohol consumption. The degree of liver fibrosis was determined according to BARD and FIB-4 scores. The association between RDW values and the degree of fibrosis in NAFLD was analyzed retrospectively.

Results

After adjusting for age, hemoglobin level, mean corpuscular volume, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, the RDW values were 12.61±0.41% (mean±SD), 12.70±0.70%, 12.77±0.62%, 12.87±0.82%, and 13.25±0.90% for those with BARD scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and 12.71±0.72%, 12.79±0.66%, and 13.23±1.52% for those with FIB-4 scores of <1.30, 1.31-2.66, and ≥2.67, respectively (P<0.05). The prevalence of advanced fibrosis (BARD score of 24 and FIB-4 score of ≥1.3) increased with the RDW [BARD score: 51.1% in quartile 1 (Q1) vs. 63.6% in Q4; FIB-4 score: 6.9% in Q1 vs. 10.5% in Q4; P<0.001]. After adjustments, the odds ratio of having advanced fibrosis for those in Q4 compared to Q1 were 1.76 (95%CI=1.55-2.00, P<0.001) relative to BARD score and 1.69 (95%CI=1.52-1.98, P<0.001) relative to FIB-4 score.

Conclusions

Elevated RDW is independently associated with advanced fibrosis in NAFLD.

Prognostic value of red cell distribution width in patients with pulmonary embolism

Elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with adverse outcomes of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. A total of 702 consecutive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) were evaluated. There was a graded increase in mortality rate with RDW quartiles of 5.8% in quartile I (≤13.6), 9.7% in quartile II (13.7%-14.5%), 13.1% in quartile III (14.6%-16.3%), and 20% in quartile IV (>16.3%; P < .001). Patients who died had higher baseline RDW values (16.1% [11.7-28.3] vs 14.5% [10.7-32.5]; P < .001). The optimal cutoff value of RDW for predicting in-hospital mortality was ≥15%. The area under the curve of mortality for RDW was 0.649 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.584-0.715); the negative predictive value was 93%. In multivariable regression analysis, RDW remained associated with an increased odds of death (odds ratio: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.4). High RDW level was an independent predictor of short-term mortality in PE. The RDW levels may provide a potential marker to predict outcome in patients with PE.

Red blood cell distribution width, multimorbidity, and the risk of death in hospitalized older patients

We aimed to assess the association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mortality in patients enrolled by a Geriatric Department. One hundred twenty-two patients were followed up during 5 years. The primary end point was all-cause mortality, and hazard ratios were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model. Higher RDW values were strongly associated with an increased risk of death. Survival curves across RDW quartiles were statistically different according to the log-rank test (p = 0.017). The first quartile presented higher probability of survival compared to the last one. The gradient from lower to higher risk across quartiles was clear both in the 5-year mortality risk and in the mortality rate per 100 person-years, which ranged from 18.9 to 42.6. However, in the Cox regression model after adjusting for age, severity, and other factors, excess risk was only observed in the highest RDW quartile, with a hazard ratio of 2.24 (CI(95%) 1.13-4.42) vs the first quartile. RDW is a good predictor of mortality in hospitalized older adults beyond those with cardiovascular risk factors, and it could serve as an integrative measure of multiple clinical and subclinical processes simultaneously occurring in complex patients.