Background: Iron deficiency is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure. Iron deficiency impairs exercise capacity, reduces the quality of life, and increases hospitalization rate and mortality risk regardless of anaemia. A high prevalence of iron deficiency has been found in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction. Our study aimed to assess the effects of intravenous iron therapy on clinical condition, left ventricular function and quality of life in patients who suffered of chronic heart failure and concomitant iron deficiency. Material and Methods: The present study compressed 62 patients (29 males, 33 females) with advanced heart failure. The study group was divided into three small groups: one that was treated with intravenous iron, one with oral iron, and the third without treatment. The duration of treatment was 24 weeks. In all, general physical, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic examinations were performed, before and after treatment, and compared between them, for each group. At the beginning and at the end of the study all patients underwent the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Results: The NYHA class showed a significant improvement after intravenous iron. The prevalence of heart failure-related edema was also significantly reduced from 67% before treatment to 47% after that (p = 0.036). The rate of hospitalization in the intravenous iron group was considerably reduced from 47% to 17% (P < 0.001). The treatment of iron deficiency in this group of subjects got a significant improvement in KCCQ total score. Conclusions: Iron deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients. Intravenously correcting iron deficiency has emerged as a promising treatment in heart failure, improving symptoms, quality of life, exercise capacity, and reducing hospitalizations.
