Iron therapy effect on chronic heart failure and iron-deficiency anemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Heart failure complicated with iron deficiency is associated with impaired functional capacity, poor quality of life, increased hospitalization, and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the effect of oral and intravenous iron therapy on functional capacity, hospitalization risk, and mortality risk in patients with chronic heart failure and iron-deficiency anemia. Methods Search for published scientific articles using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting, Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) method conducted on Cochrane Library, PubMed Central, and Medline databases published in the last 20 years. Further systematic review and meta-analysis using RevMan version 5.4 were performed based on the included published scientific articles. Results Based on the meta-analysis of included studies, the analytical results of intravenous iron therapy in patient with chronic heart failure and iron-deficiency anemia showed there is 30.82 (MD = 30.82: 95% CI 18.23–43.40) meter change in patient 6MWT, there is likelihood of 0.55 times (55%) (RR = 0.45: 95% CI 0.30–0.68) lower risk of hospitalization and lower risk of mortality (RR = 0.18: 95% CI 0.04–0.78), because heart failure worsening both with statistically significant overall effect compared with placebo. Conclusions There is statistically significant effect of intravenous iron therapy to improve patient functional capacity and reduce likelihood of hospitalization risk of 0.55 times (55%) in patient with chronic heart failure and iron-deficiency anemia.