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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
[Expert consensus regarding treatment of iron deficiency in stable and decompensated patients with heart failure]
Yu V Mareev1, S R Gilarevsky2, Yu L Begrambekova3
1National Medical Research Centre for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, Moscow, Russia Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Glasgow, Great Britain.
Insights
Treating iron deficiency (ID) in heart failure (HF) patients with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is recommended. This therapy reduces future hospitalizations for acute decompensation and improves quality of life in stable HF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Iron deficiency (ID) is prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, negatively impacting outcomes.
- Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is the sole proven therapy for ID in HF, according to 2020 Russian HF guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of treating ID in acute HF decompensation.
- To inform clinical practice regarding ID screening and treatment in HF patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the AFFIRM-AHF trial.
- Expert consensus on treatment recommendations.
Main Results:
- Treatment of ID with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose post-acute HF decompensation reduces future HF hospitalizations.
- Patients with stable HF may experience improved quality of life and symptom relief with ID treatment.
Conclusions:
- Screening for and treating ID in HF patients is clinically reasonable.
- Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is effective for reducing HF hospitalizations in specific patient subgroups.
Abstract:
In recent years there has been significant interest in treating iron deficiency (ID) in patients with heart failure (HF) due to its high prevalence and detrimental effects in this population. As stated in the 2020 Russain HF guidelines, Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose remains the only proven therapy for ID.This document was prompted by the results from the recent AFFIRM-AHF trial which demonstrates that treatment of ID after acute HF decompensation reduces the risk of future decompensations. Experts have concluded that in HF patients with acute decompensation, a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 50% and ID, Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose reduces future HF hospitalisations. Patients with stable HF may also benefit from treatment of ID to improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms. It is, therefore, reasonable to screen for and treat ID in patients with HF.
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