EFFECT OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON THE CLINICAL COURSE OF CHRONIC HEART FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH ANEMIA: RESULTS OF NOT COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Aim. To study the clinical efficacy of corrective therapy of anemia in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Material and methods. Patients (n=58; 32 female, 26 male; aged 47-85 years) with IHD and CHF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% were included into the study. They received basic CHF therapy. Patients (n=12) with iron deficiency anemia also received erythropoietin and iron containing drugs during 12 weeks. Clinic and instrumental examination was performed before and after the treatment. Exercise tolerance was evaluated by 6-minute walk test. Results. The anemia was revealed in 14 (24.8%) patients, including 12 patients with iron deficiency anemia. By the end of 12 week therapy with erythropoietin and iron containing drugs significant increase (+36%) in 6-minute walk distance and LVEF (+32.5%), improvement of CHF NYHA functional class were observed. Besides increase in hemoglobin (+12.5%; p<0.001) and hematocrit (+5.8%; p<0.001) levels, as well as increase in red blood cells number (+8%; p<0.001) were found. Conclusion. In patients with CHF and IHD correction of anemia with erythropoietin and iron containing drugs additionally to the basic CHF/IHD therapy leads to a significant clinical and functional improvement.

Keywords

• chronic heart failure
• ischemic heart disease
• anemia
• erythropoietin