Hepcidin in anemia of chronic heart failure

Anemia is a common finding among patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Although comorbidities, such as kidney failure, might contribute to the pathogenesis of anemia, many patients with HF do not have any other obvious etiology for their anemia. We investigated whether anemia in HF is associated with an elevation in hepcidin concentration. We used time-of-flight mass spectrometry to measure hepcidin concentration in urine and serum samples of patients with HF and in control subjects. We found that the concentration of hepcidin was lower in urine samples of patients with HF compared with those of control subjects. Serum hepcidin was also reduced in HF but was not significantly lower than that in controls. There were no significant differences between hepcidin levels in patients with HF and anemia compared with patients with HF and normal hemoglobin level. We concluded that hepcidin probably does not play a major role in pathogenesis of anemia in patients with chronic HF.     

The prevalence of anemia in chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence of anemia and its correlation with NYHA-class in patients with congestive heart failure. BACKGROUND: Recently, it was reported that anemia in congestive heart failure patients is common and correlated with the severity of disease. In these patients with anemia, treatment with erythropoietin and intravenous iron improved cardiac function significantly. METHODS: 193 patients from a tertiary heart failure outpatient clinic (mean age 54 years) were included in a retrospective analysis. Fourteen patients were in NYHA-class I, 69 class II, 79 class III, and 31 class IV. All patients had clinical and laboratory evaluation, echocardiography and coronary angiography. Patients with secondary anemia or on hemodialysis were excluded. Etiology of heart failure was ischemic in 41%. RESULTS: Anemia (hemoglobin<120 g/l) was present in 28 of 193 patients (15%). There was an inverse relationship between NYHA-class and left ventricular ejection fraction (NYHA-class I 45%, class II 32%, class III 25%, class IV 25%). Serum creatinine increased with NYHA-class. Hemoglobin levels were similar in all four NYHA-classes but there were significantly more patients with anemia in NYHA-class III and IV (19%) compared with class I and II (8%, P<0.05). Hemoglobin was similar in surviving patients (mean 140 g/l) and those who died or were transplanted (mean 136 g/l, ns). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anemia in our heart failure service is 15% (compared with 56% in the literature) and is correlated to NYHA-class.     

慢性心力衰竭患者中贫血的患病情况

目的研究慢性心力衰竭(心衰)中贫血的患病情况及贫血与心功能的关系。方法183例慢性心衰患者通过临床、实验室评价和心脏超声心动图检查,参照NYHA分级,心功能Ⅰ~Ⅱ级(轻中度心衰组)86例,Ⅲ~Ⅳ级(重度心衰组)97例。比较2组的左室射血分数、左室舒张末期内径、血液学参数、患贫血率和病死率。结果183例慢性心衰患者中贫血(血红蛋白<120g/L)者43例(24.0%),重度心衰组中贫血患者(30.0%)明显多于轻中度心衰组(16.0%),P<0.05。平均随访17个月,轻中度心衰组死亡4例(5.0%),重度心衰组死亡18例(19.0%),2组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。贫血患者与非贫血患者相比病死率更高,分别为23.0%和9.0%,P<0.01。结论慢性心衰患者常伴有贫血,贫血的程度与心衰的严重程度有关,贫血使心衰患者死亡的危险性增高。     

Intravenous iron alone for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess the hematologic, clinical, and biochemical response to intravenous iron in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and anemia. BACKGROUND: Anemia is common in patients with CHF and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The combination of erythropoietin (EPO) and iron increases hemoglobin (Hb) and improves symptoms and exercise capacity in anemic CHF patients. It is not known whether intravenous iron alone is an effective treatment for anemia associated with CHF. METHODS: Sixteen anemic patients (Hb < or =12 g/dl) with stable CHF (age 68.3 +/- 11.5 years, 12 men, 9 participants New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class II and the remainder class III, left ventricular ejection fraction 26 +/- 13%) received a maximum of 1 g of iron sucrose by bolus intravenous injections over a 12-day treatment phase in an outpatient setting. Mean follow-up was 92 +/- 6 days. RESULTS: Hemoglobin rose from 11.2 +/- 0.7 to 12.6 +/- 1.2 g/dl (p = 0.0007), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) score fell (denoting improvement) from 33 +/- 19 to 19 +/- 14 (p = 0.02), 6-min walk distance increased from 242 +/- 78 m to 286 +/- 72 m (p = 0.01), and all patients recorded NYHA class II at study end (p < 0.02). Changes in MLHF score and 6-min walk distance related closely to changes in Hb (r = 0.76, p = 0.002; r = 0.56, p = 0.03, respectively). Of all baseline measurements, only iron and transferrin saturation correlated with increases in Hb (r = 0.60, p = 0.02; r = 0.60, p = 0.01, respectively). There were no adverse events relating to drug administration or during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous iron sucrose, when used without concomitant EPO, is a simple and safe therapy that increases Hb, reduces symptoms, and improves exercise capacity in anemic patients with CHF. Further assessment of its efficacy should be made in a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.     

在常规治疗基础上应用卡维地洛治疗慢性心力衰竭并发肾功能不全患者的效果

目的观察在常规治疗基础上应用卡维地洛对慢性心力衰竭（CHF）并发肾功能不全患者的临床疗效。方法采用自身对照的方法,27例CHF并发肾功能不全的患者在接受常规治疗的基础上加用卡维地洛直到目标剂量,比较治疗前及治疗12周后患者的心功能和肾功能。结果治疗12周后患者左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左室收缩末期内径（LVESD）较治疗前明显缩小（P<0.01）,左室射血分数（LVEF）较治疗前显著增高（P<0.01）。治疗12周后血尿素氮（BUN）、肌酐（Cr）、β2-微球蛋白（β2-MG）较治疗前明显降低（P<0.01）。结论在常规治疗基础上应用卡维地洛能明显改善CHF并发肾功能不全患者的心功能和肾功能。     

Pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is associated with a high morbidity and mortality in the Western World. Our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapy has improved dramatically during the last 20 years. Pharmacological treatment, as it stands today, is a combination of preventive and symptomatic strategies. The mainstay life-saving drugs are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers. Additional benefits are obtained when angiotensin-receptor blockers or aldosterone antagonists are added. Digitalis and/or diuretics are useful for symptom reduction. In addition, combination therapy with hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate is recommended in African Americans.     

促红细胞生成素联用参附注射液治疗慢性心力衰竭合并贫血的临床观察

目的观察促红细胞生成素（EPO）联合参附注射液治疗合并贫血的慢性心力衰竭（CHF）的临床疗效。方法将160例合并贫血的CHF患者随机分成4组：对照组（常规治疗组）、EPO组、参附注射液组和EPO加参附注射液组,每组各40例。记录治疗前、后各组患者的心功能分级（NYHA）、明尼苏达心衰生活质量评分、左心室射血分数（LVEF）、左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、血浆N末端B型利钠肽原（NT-pro-BNP）水平及血红蛋白（Hb）浓度,统计再住院率,观察不良反应。结果治疗后各组患者的心功能分级和生活质量评分均明显下降,LVEF提高,LVEDD缩小,NT-pro-BNP水平降低,Hb浓度升高,而EPO组、参附注射液组和EPO加参附注射液组的疗效较对照组又有显著提高,再住院率显著低于对照组（尸〈0．05）。各组治疗后未见明显不良反应。结论EPO联合参附注射液治疗慢性心力衰竭合并贫血能显著提高临床疗效。     

缺血性慢性心力衰竭与贫血的相关性研究

目的探讨缺血性慢性心力衰竭(CHF)与贫血的相关性。方法根据血红蛋白水平将196例患者分为贫血组54例和非贫血组1 42例,比较2组临床特征、预后、不同程度CHF患者贫血患病率及各项生化指标。结果 196例患者中,有54例出现贫血,占27.6%;轻度心力衰竭贫血患病率16.0%,明显低于重度心力衰竭(39.6%,P<0.01)。与非贫血组比较,贫血组年龄、男性比率及血肌酐明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01),LVEF明显降低(P<0.05);再次住院、再住院平均天数及随访期病死率明显升高(P<0.05)。与轻度心力衰竭患者比较,重度心力衰竭患者血红蛋白、红细胞平均血红蛋白浓度明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论贫血的发生与缺血性心脏病患者年龄、肾功能及心功能程度相关;贫血程度与心力衰竭程度相关;CHF合并贫血的患者预后差。     

慢性心力衰竭的药物治疗

心力衰竭是一组复杂的临床征候群 ,发病率及病死率均高。据最近中国心血管健康多中心合作研究结果显示 :我国心力衰竭发病率为 0 9% ,其中男性为 0 7%、女性为1 0 % ;我国现有心力衰竭患者 4 0 0万。随着人群年龄的增长 ,心力衰竭的发病率上升。Swedberg在 2 0 0 3年ACC年会上报告的 1988～ 2 0 0 0年 12年间心衰患者出院后 1年的病死率 :5 5～ 6 4岁下降 5 3% ,6 5～ 74岁下降 4 4 % ,75～ 84岁下降 33%。这种改善从 1994年和 1995年开始越来越明显 ,与同期应用ACE -抑制剂 (ACEI)和 β -受体阻滞剂治疗心衰一致。我国部分地区 1980…     

促红细胞生成素治疗冠心病慢性心力衰竭合并贫血的临床观察

目的探讨促红细胞生成素（EPO）治疗冠心病慢性心力衰竭（CHF）合并贫血的临床效果。方法将138例冠心病CHF合并贫血的患者随机分为治疗组（A组）和对照组（B组）。B组患者给予常规药物治疗,A组患者在常规药物治疗的基础上加用EPO,使其血红蛋白浓度≥110g／L。随访6个月,观察两组患者的治疗效果。结果A组患者治疗后的总有效率明显优于B组（P〈0．05）。两组患者治疗后心功能分级、左室射血分数、左室舒张末内径、6min步行距离及BNP水平等均改善（P〈0．05）。与B组比较,A组患者上述各指标改善更显著（P〈0．05）。结论EPO可减轻冠心病CHF合并贫血患者的临床症状,提高疗效。     

Association of deranged adrenal steroid metabolism with anemia in chronic heart failure

The relation between adrenal steroid hormone imbalance, as quantified by the cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratio, and hemoglobin concentrations was appraised in 92 men with stable chronic heart failure (CHF). The cortisol/DHEA ratio was independently and inversely associated with hemoglobin concentrations, suggesting that alterations of the steroid milieu may play a role in the pathogenesis of anemia in CHF.     

Beta-blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure

The authors discuss in the submitted review the problem of therapeutic use of beta-blockers in the treatment of cardiac failure. n the introduction they emphasize the medical and societal consequences of this disease with emphasis on necessary prevention. In the subsequent part they present a review of the most important clinical studies (completed and under way) focused on the mentioned problem. In the discussion they analyze the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis of cardiac failure and the theoretical basis of the use of beta-blockers in its treatment. In the conclusion they present a summary of practical principles for the use of beta-blockers in this indication.     

慢性心力衰竭的起搏治疗

近20多年来,心力衰竭已成为危害人类健康的主要疾病之一,尽管近年来以血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(ACEI)和(受体阻滞剂为首的药物治疗取得了可喜的成绩,但是心力衰竭患者长期生存率仍然较低。近年来,心脏再同步治疗(CRT)已成为慢性心力衰竭非药物治疗的热点,受到越来越多的关注。     

Long-term drug treatment of chronic heart failure

After reversible causes have been excluded and precipitating factors eliminated therapy of chronic heart failure is performed to achieve the following goals: A reduction of cardiac work by physical restriction; the increased risk of thromboembolic complications should be met by special physical exercises, elastic stockings and a low-dose heparin therapy in hospitalized patients. To improve the contractility of the heart muscle by digitalis. The efficacy of digitalis has been demonstrated by a double-blind study. It cannot be excluded, however, that digitalis therapy may be associated with an increased mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and complex ventricular arrhythmias. To eliminate symptoms of congestion. To reduce pre- and afterload by vasodilators. The application of vasodilators has become an established therapy in patients who do not respond to conventional therapy with digitalis and diuretics. By activation of the adrenergic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system-an initially useful compensatory mechanism to sustain blood pressure and stroke volume-peripheral vascular resistance and end-diastolic volume increase in patients with chronic heart failure. Both factors contribute to an increase in afterload, thereby further diminishing left ventricular function. In this situation vasodilators are particularly effective. According to their main mode of action they alter venous capacity and/or systemic vascular resistance to a different degree. Knowledge of their effects is necessary for a successful application in individual patients.     

Analysis of causes of development of anemia in patients with chronic heart failure

High prevalence of anemia and its direct relation with morbidity and mortality in congestive heart failure (CHF) has been shown in numerous studies. Among etiology factors of anemia are hemodilution, chronic kidney insufficiency, deficiency of iron, folate, and vitamin 12, high level of inflammatory cytokines. Aims of this study were elucidation of causes of anemia in patients with CHF and assessment of dependence of prognosis of these patients on etiology of anemia. We examined 317 patients hospitalized with diagnosis of NYHA class II-IVCHF and anemia (129, [40.7%] men and 188 [59.3%] women, mean age 74.4+/-1.75 years, duration of CHF 4.4+/-0.2 years; 46, 42, 12% with NYHA class IV, III and II, respectively). Causes of anemia were chronic kidney insufficiency, iron deficiency, vitamin B12-deficiency, hemodilution, and chronic diseases. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 50 ml/min was found in 27 patients (8.5%), deficiency of iron with lowered ferritin concentration and/or saturation of transferrin was revealed in 104 (32.8 %), vitamin B12-deficiency in 4 (1.3%), hemodilution in 40 (12.6%) patients. In 142 patients (44.8%) anemia was associated with chronic diseases. Hospital mortality in the whole group was 18.3%. Death rates in patients with hemodilution, chronic kidney insufficiency, vitamin B12-deficiency, anemia due to chronic diseases, and iron deficiency anemia were 32.5, 25.9, 25, 16.2 and 13.5%.