Iron metabolism and cardiovascular disease: Basic to translational purviews and therapeutical approach

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Iron's role in cardiovascular health is complex and not fully understood.
• While beneficial in chronic heart failure, its impact on acute events like myocardial infarction and stroke is understudied.
• Iron's redox properties may influence atherosclerosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on iron's temporal effects in cardiovascular diseases.
• To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of iron's involvement.
• To highlight current and potential treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on iron and cardiovascular diseases.
• Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms involving iron's redox activity.
• Synthesis of findings related to acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests iron benefits chronic heart failure patients with deficiency.
• Acute cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction and stroke have limited randomized controlled trial data.
• Iron's dual redox nature is implicated in atherosclerosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed on iron's role in acute cardiovascular diseases.
• Understanding iron's complex mechanisms can inform targeted therapeutic interventions.
• Intravenous iron may be beneficial in specific cardiovascular contexts, warranting further investigation.