Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: david.sim@singhealth.com.sg
  • 2 Department of Clinical and Preventive Cardiology, Heart Institute, Mendanta - The Medicity, India
  • 3 Heart Failure Centre, Fuwai Hospital, China
  • 4 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 5 Department of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia
  • 6 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea
  • 7 Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
  • 8 Department of Medical Education and Research, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
  • 9 Department of General Internal Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Japan
  • 10 National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Pakistan
  • 11 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, China
  • 12 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
Int J Cardiol, 2024 May 15;403:131890.
PMID: 38382854 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.131890

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is a common comorbidity in heart failure (HF) and is independently associated with a worse quality-of-life and exercise capacity, as well as increased risk of hospitalization, regardless of anemia status. Although international guidelines have provided recommendations for the management of iron deficiency in patients with HF, guidelines in Asia are less established, and practical use of guidelines for management of iron deficiency is limited in the region.

METHODS: A panel comprising cardiologists from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand convened to share insights and provide guidance for the optimal management of iron deficiency in patients with HF, tailored for the Asian community.

RESULTS: Expert opinions were provided for the screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of iron deficiency in patients with HF. It was recommended that all patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction should be screened for iron deficiency, and iron-deficient patients should be treated with intravenous iron. Monitoring of iron levels in patients with HF should be carried out once or twice yearly. Barriers to the management of iron deficiency in patients with HF in the region include low awareness of iron deficiency amongst general physicians, lack of reimbursement for screening and treatment, and lack of proper facilities for administration of intravenous iron.

CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations provide a structured approach to the management of iron deficiency in patients with HF in Asia.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.