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Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
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Red blood cell distribution width in heart failure: A narrative review
Giuseppe Lippi1,2,3,4,5, Gianni Turcato1,2,3,4,5, Gianfranco Cervellin1,2,3,4,5
1Giuseppe Lippi, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy. giuseppe.lippi@univr.it.
World Journal of Cardiology
|March 1, 2018
Summary
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) predicts adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients and identifies individuals at risk of developing HF. Longitudinal RDW assessment aids in predicting HF development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) measures anisocytosis.
- RDW is linked to adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients.
- RDW predicts incident HF in individuals without the condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate RDW as a predictor for heart failure (HF) development and progression.
- To explore the association between RDW and cardiac dysfunction.
- To assess the utility of longitudinal RDW monitoring in HF risk stratification.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of RDW as a hematological parameter.
- Review of existing scientific evidence on RDW and heart failure.
- Correlation of RDW with factors like aging, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies.
Main Results:
- RDW predicts cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in HF patients.
- RDW is an independent predictor of new-onset HF.
- Anisocytosis may directly contribute to HF development and worsening.
Conclusions:
- RDW assessment is valuable for predicting adverse outcomes in HF.
- RDW serves as a significant predictor for developing HF.
- Longitudinal RDW monitoring can help predict HF risk and progression.
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