Red blood cell distribution width and cardiovascular diseases

Background

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a rather simple measure of red blood cell (RBC) size heterogeneity (i.e., anisocytosis), which is easily calculated by dividing the standard deviation (SD) of erythrocyte volumes for the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Emerging evidence suggests that, besides RBC abnormalities, many human disorders may be frequently associated with a high degree of anisocytosis.

Methods

In this narrative review, we analyzed the current scientific literature about the putative role and the potential epidemiologic association between RDW and cardiovascular diseases. The findings of the most representative epidemiological studies were summarized and discussed.

Results

Overall, considerable and convincing evidence has been brought that an increased RDW value is associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) [including acute myocardial infarction (AMI)], ischemic cerebrovascular disease (including stroke), peripheral artery disease (PAD), as well as with atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure (HF) and hypertension. Higher anisocytosis also significantly and independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with these conditions.

Conclusions

Although the role of anisocytosis in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases remains uncertain, the considerable evidence available so far suggests that the clinical use of RDW may be broadened beyond the conventional boundaries of erythrocyte disorders, in particular for assisting the diagnosis and prognostication of patients with ACS, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, PAD, HF and AF.     

Red blood cell distribution width in elderly hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUNDRed blood cell distribution width (RDW) is elevated in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).AIMTo determine RDW values and impact of CV and non-CV coexisting morbidities in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic CVD.METHODSThis prospective study included 204 consecutive elderly patients (age 77.5 [7.41] years, female 94 [46%], left ventricular ejection fraction 53.00% [37.50, 55.00]) hospitalized with chronic CVD at the Cardiology Department of Larissa University General Hospital (Larissa, Greece) from January 2019 to April 2019. Elderly patients were selected due to the high prevalence of coexisting morbidities in this patient population. Hospitalized patients with acute CVD (acute coronary syndromes, new-onset heart failure [HF], and acute pericarditis/myocarditis), primary isolated valvular heart disease, sepsis, and those with a history of blood transfusions or cancer were excluded. The evaluation of the patients within 24 h from admission included clinical examination, laboratory blood tests, and echocardiography.RESULTSThe most common cardiac morbidities were hypertension and coronary artery disease, with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure (ADCHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) also frequently being present. The most common non-cardiac morbidities were anemia and chronic kidney disease followed by diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sleep apnea. RDW was significantly elevated 15.48 (2.15); 121 (59.3%) of patients had RDW > 14.5% which represents the upper limit of normal in our institution. Factors associated with RDW in stepwise regression analysis were ADCHF (coefficient: 1.406; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.830-1.981; P < 0.001), AF (1.192; 0.673 to 1.711; P < 0.001), and anemia (0.806; 0.256 to 1.355; P = 0.004). ADCHF was the most significant factor associated with RDW. RDW was on average 1.41 higher for patients with than without ADCHF, 1.19 higher for patients with than without AF, and 0.81 higher for patients with than without anemia. When patients were grouped based on the presence or absence of anemia, ADCHF and AF, heart rate was not increased in those with anemia but was significantly increased in those with ADCHF or AF.CONCLUSIONRDW was elevated in elderly hospitalized patients with chronic CVD. Factors associated with RDW were anemia and CV factors associated with elevated heart rate (ADCHF, AF), suggesting sympathetic overactivity.     

Red blood cell distribution width in heart failure: A narrative review

The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a simple, rapid, inexpensive and straightforward hematological parameter, reflecting the degree of anisocytosis in vivo. The currently available scientific evidence suggests that RDW assessment not only predicts the risk of adverse outcomes(cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hospitalization for acute decompensation or worsened left ventricular function) in patients with acute and chronic heart failure(HF), but is also a significant and independent predictor of developing HF in patients free of this condition. Regarding the biological interplay between impaired hematopoiesis and cardiac dysfunction, many of the different conditions associated with increased heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume(i.e., ageing, inflammation, oxidative stress, nutritional deficiencies and impaired renal function), may be concomitantly present in patients with HF, whilst anisocytosis may also directly contribute to the development and worsening of HF. In conclusion, the longitudinal assessment of RDW changes over time may be considered an efficient measure to help predicting the risk of both development and progression of HF.     

红细胞分布宽度变化在冠心病患者中的临床价值

目的 探讨红细胞分布宽度(RDW)与冠心病的相关性.方法 212例行冠状动脉造影的患者分为两组,以性别、年龄、心率、血压、空腹血糖、总胆固醇(Tc)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL- C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、红细胞计数、血红蛋白(Hb)、RDW、红细胞压积(Hct)等因素及冠脉评分进行多变...     

冠心病患者红细胞分布宽度与炎性标志物的关系

目的:探究冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)患者红细胞分布宽度(RDW)与炎性标志物水平之间的关系。方法:入选行冠状动脉造影术的1 047例患者,进行超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、白介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)检测及超声心动图检查。将患者分为冠心病及非冠心病组,在冠心病组中将患者分为稳定性心绞痛(SA)及急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)组,并以四分位数法将冠心病组按RDW值分为Q1～Q4四组。结果:本研究共入选1 047例患者,冠心病组RDW及hs-CRP水平显著高于非冠心病组。冠心病组中,ACS组患者RDW值较SA组明显升高,而炎性标志物水平仅有升高趋势。冠状动脉3支病变患者RDW值较单支病变患者有升高趋势。冠心病组中,Q4组患者hs-CRP水平较Q1组显著升高,RDW与hs-CRP水平呈正相关(r=0.121,P=0.025)。结论:冠心病患者RDW值升高,其中ACS组患者较SA组进一步升高,并且冠心病患者RDW值与炎性标志物水平相关(r=0.142,P=0.009)。     

Red blood cell distribution width: A marker of anisocytosis potentially associated with atrial fibrillation

The incorporation of biomarkers in the actually used risk scores seem to be helpful for early identifying atrial fibrillation(AF) patients at higher risk. The aim of this critical review of the scientific literature is to investigate the potential clinical significance of red blood cell distribution width(RDW) in AF. A systematic electronic search was carried out to identify all articles describing an epidemiological association between RDW and AF in adult human populations.Data abstraction was conducted on a final number of 35 articles(13 crosssectional, 12 prospective and 10 retrospective studies). The results of these epidemiological investigations were all virtually concordant to emphasize that an enhanced RDW value is not only a predictive factor and a marker of AF but its measurement may also be helpful for predicting the risk of developing many adverse complications in patients with AF, such as recurrence and duration of AF, hospitalization for heart failure, bleeding, left atrial thrombosis and stasis,thromboembolic events and mortality. AF patients with RDW values exceeding the local reference range may be more aggressively investigated and managed, in order to identify and attenuate the impact of possible underlying disorders causing both anisocytosis and AF.     

红细胞体积分布宽度:一种新型的心血管疾病危险标记物

红细胞体积分布宽度（red cell distribution width,RDW）是反映外周血红细胞体积异质性的参数,通常以红细胞体积大小的变异系数（RDW-CV）来表示,临床上多用于缺铁性贫血的诊断和鉴别诊断.但最近研究表明,RDW是一种新型的心血管疾病危险标记物,可独立预测死亡及心血管事件发生.本文就近年来关于RDW在心脑血管疾病方面的研究进展作一综述.     

红细胞分布宽度和冠心病的关系

红细胞分布宽度（RDW）与炎症、冠状动脉病变的严重程度、冠状动脉的不稳定性有一定的相关性,能够预测冠心病（CHD）的预后。RDW的检测可能成为一种经济、简便易行用于CHD危险分层的方法。     

Red cell distribution width and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Red cell distribution width is a measure of deviation of the volume of red blood cells.It is a marker of anisocytosis and often used to evaluate the possible causes of anemia.Elevated red cell distribution width levels are also associated with acute and chronic inflammatory responses.In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,inflammation is accompanied with steatosis.For assuming red cell distribution width as a marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,intervening factors such as levels of inflammatory markers should also be evaluated.     

Red cell distribution width: a novel marker of activity in inflammatory bowel disease

Background/Aims

Studies concerning red cell distribution width (RDW) for use in the assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity are limited. We investigated whether RDW is a marker of active disease in patients with IBD.

Methods

In total, 61 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 56 patients with Crohn''s disease (CD) were enrolled in the study group, and 44 age- and-sex-matched healthy volunteers were included as the control group. A CD activity index >150 in patients with CD indicated active disease. Patients with moderate and severe disease based on the Truelove-Witts criteria were considered to have active UC. In addition to RDW, serum C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and platelet counts were measured.

Results

Twenty-nine (51.7%) patients with CD and 35 (57.4%) patients with UC had active disease. The RDW was significantly higher in patients with CD and UC than in controls (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). A subgroup analysis indicated that for a RDW cut-off of 14%, the sensitivity for detecting active CD was 79%, and the specicity was 93% (area under curve [AUC], 0.935; p<0.001). RDW was the most sensitive and specific marker for active CD. However, it was not valid for UC, as the ESR at a cutoff of 15.5 mm/hr showed a sensitivity of 83% and a specicity of 76% (AUC, 0.817; p<0.001), whereas the RDW at a cutoff of 14% showed 17% sensitivity and 84% specicity for detecting active UC.

Conclusions

RDW was elevated in IBD in comparison with healthy controls and increased markedly in active disease. RDW may be a sensitive and specific marker for determining active CD, whereas ESR is an important marker of active UC.     

红细胞分布宽度与慢性阻塞性肺疾病继发肺动脉高压的相关性研究

目的探讨红细胞分布宽度（RDW）与COPD继发肺动脉高压相关性。方法回顾性分析2012年9月至2013年10月期间入住皖南医学院第一附属医院呼吸科病房COPD的患者临床资料。根据入选标准及排除标准,将72例入选病例分为肺动脉压正常组和增高组,比较两组一般情况、基础疾病情况、RDW和住院时间。结果肺动脉压增高组RDW明显高于肺动脉压正常组RDW[15．98±1．78）％VS（14．46±1．36）％],差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．001）。而年龄、性别、高血压、糖尿病、冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病、血红蛋白、PaO2、PaCO2及住院时间两组之间差异均无统计学意义。Pearson相关性分析结果示RDW与肺动脉高压呈正相关,差异具有统计学意义（r=0．577,P=0．01）。结论在COPD继发肺动脉高压患者体内RDW明显增高,并与肺动脉高压严重程度呈正相关。RDW可作为反应COPD继发肺动脉高压严重程度的有用指标。     

Red cell distribution width to platelet ratio: New and promising prognostic marker in acute pancreatitis

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of red cell distribution width (RDW) to platelet ratio (RPR) to predict in-hospital mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP).METHODS: Between January 2010 and June 2012, 102 patients with AP were recruited to the study. In this retrospective cohort study, for all subjects, demographic data on hospital admission, AP etiology, co-morbid diseases, organ failure assessment, laboratory parameters and length of hospital stay were examined. Additionally, we used a non-invasive prediction method in addition to the RPR to evaluate the disease severity. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of RPR on hospital admission to predict mortality.RESULTS: The male-female ratio (59/43) was 1.37 with a median age of 56.5 years (17-89 years). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, RDW and RPR were presented as independent and significant variables on admission to predict mortality. The RPR obtained on hospital admission was persistently higher among non-survivors than among survivors (P < 0.0001). The median RPR was 0.000087 in the non-survivor group and 0.000058 in the survivor group. RPR with a cutoff value of 0.000067 presented an area under the curve of 0.783 (95%CI: 0.688-0.878) in receiver operating characteristic curves and could predict the mortality of approximately 80% of the patients.CONCLUSION: We identified RPR as a valuable, novel laboratory test to predict mortality in AP.     

Red cell distribution width and hypertensive response to exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: There is no study about hypertensive response to exercise (HRE), which is a marker of unborn hypertension (HT), and red cell distribution width (RDW) association, in diabetic normotensive patients. So, we aimed to investigate any correlation among RDW and HRE in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Consecutive type 2 diabetic patients without history of HT and with normal blood pressure (BP) on ambulatory BP monitoring were included to the study. We divided the patients into two groups depending on their peak systolic BP on exercise; HRE (Group 1) or normal response to exercise (Group 2). Results: Data of 75 diabetic patients (51.9?±?9.7) were analyzed (31 male (48%)). Their mean RDW was 13.11?±?0.46. Patients with HRE were significantly older than patients without HRE. Smoking was more frequent in Group 2. Gender distribution and body mass index were similar between the groups. Else hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count and RDW values were not significantly different. Office systolic BP and diastolic BP, daytime and 24-h systolic BP were significantly higher in Group 1 but heart rate was similar between the groups. Conclusions: This study revealed that RDW do not differ between diabetic normotensive patients with HRE or not.     

Red blood cell distribution width,multimorbidity, and the risk of death in hospitalized older patients

We aimed to assess the association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mortality in patients enrolled by a Geriatric Department. One hundred twenty-two patients were followed up during 5 years. The primary end point was all-cause mortality, and hazard ratios were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model. Higher RDW values were strongly associated with an increased risk of death. Survival curves across RDW quartiles were statistically different according to the log-rank test (p = 0.017). The first quartile presented higher probability of survival compared to the last one. The gradient from lower to higher risk across quartiles was clear both in the 5-year mortality risk and in the mortality rate per 100 person-years, which ranged from 18.9 to 42.6. However, in the Cox regression model after adjusting for age, severity, and other factors, excess risk was only observed in the highest RDW quartile, with a hazard ratio of 2.24 (CI_95% 1.13–4.42) vs the first quartile. RDW is a good predictor of mortality in hospitalized older adults beyond those with cardiovascular risk factors, and it could serve as an integrative measure of multiple clinical and subclinical processes simultaneously occurring in complex patients.