• Michael N Zairis, Nikolaos G Patsourakos, Anastassios Theodossis Georgilas, Andreas Melidonis, Kyriakos S Argyrakis, Athanasios A Prekates, Demetrios Z Mytas, Kostas S Karidis, Pelagia C Batika, Constantine N Fakiolas, and Stefanos G Foussas.
• Department of Cardiology, Tzanio Hospital, Piraeus, Greece. zairis66@otenet.gr
• Cardiology. 2011 Jan 1;119(3):125-30.

ObjectivesThe possible independent effect of mild-to-moderate anemia (hemoglobin value not <9 g/dl) on the short-term mortality of patients with decompensation of NYHA class III/IV chronic heart failure has not been investigated yet.MethodsA total of 725 consecutive hospitalized patients were studied. All-cause mortalities during hospitalization and by day 31 were the prespecified study end points.ResultsA total of 76 (10.5%) and 133 (18.3%) patients died during hospital stay and by day 31 of follow-up, respectively. Patients in the first hemoglobin tertile were at a significantly higher risk of death than those in the second (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001 for unadjusted in-hospital and 31-day mortality, respectively) or third terile (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, for unadjusted in-hospital and 31-day mortality, respectively). However, after adjustment for concomitant baseline comorbidities and biochemical parameters, there was no significant difference in the risk of death among hemoglobin tertiles.ConclusionsMild-to-moderate anemia seems not to contribute independently to short-term mortality in patients with decompensation of NYHA class III/IV chronic heart failure. An adverse concomitant baseline risk profile may have a key role in the induction of mild-to-moderate anemia and in the increased risk of death in these patients.Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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