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Defining iron deficiency in patients with heart failure

Nature Reviews Cardiology volume 21, pages 1–2 (2024)Cite this article

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For patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, intravenous iron is likely to deliver clinical and prognostic benefits for those with anaemia and transferrin saturation <20%, especially if serum ferritin exceeds 100 μg/l. A serum ferritin of <100 μg/l does not appear to be useful as a marker of iron deficiency.

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Fig. 1: Effect of intravenous iron on clinical outcomes.

References

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Acknowledgements

J.G.F.C. is supported by a British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (grant RE/18/6/34217).

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  1. British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    John G. F. Cleland

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  1. John G. F. Cleland
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Correspondence to John G. F. Cleland.

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Competing interests

The University of Glasgow has received funding for research from Pharmacosmos A/S and CSL Vifor, which sell intravenous iron preparations. J.G.F.C. has received honoraria for lectures and advisory board from Pharmacosmos A/S and CSL Vifor, and was a steering committee member for the IRONMAN trial.

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Cleland, J.G.F. Defining iron deficiency in patients with heart failure. Nat Rev Cardiol 21, 1–2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41569-023-00951-6

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