Hemoglobin to red cell distribution width ratio: A predictor of clinical outcome and diuretic response in patients with acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Hemoglobin to Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio (HRR) is a novel inflammatory marker in the prognostic assessment of tumors. Nevertheless, its focus on the cardiovascular field is relatively limited, particularly regarding its correlation with diuretic responses and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of the Renal Optimization Strategies Evaluation (ROSE AHF) clinical trial. The outcomes of interest included all-cause death, rehospitalization and diuretic responses. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression and linear regression models were performed, respectively. Prognostic outcomes and diuretic response were further evaluated in ejection fraction (EF) subgroups (preserved EF ≥ 50% and reduced EF<50%).

RESULTS

A total of 351 patients were included in the present study and further categorized according to HRR median (0.7131) value at admission: low HRR group (n = 176) and high HRR group (n = 175). High HRR were found to be independently associated with decreased risk of all-cause death (HR = 0.51; 95% CI,0.30-0.87, P = 0.013), reduced risk of developing all-caused death or rehospitalization (HR = 0.62; 95% CI,0.39-0.98, P = 0.039). Furthermore, high HRR indicated lower cumulative urine output (OR: -992.33, P = 0.004) and less weight loss (OR: 3.08, P < 0.001) within 72 h after diuresis. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant interaction effect between EF and HRR in prognostic impact or diuretic responses, and HRR was negatively correlated with plasma volume.

CONCLUSION

High HRR demonstrated a lower risk of developing adverse clinical outcomes and a poorer diuretic response that might be due to less volume overload in AHF patients.