Pattern of Anemia in Patients with Heart Failure in Ischemic Heart Disease

Background: Anemia is common health problem encountered in patients with heart failure which in turn is is one of the common presenting feature of ischemic heart disease.This study aims to study the patterns and types of anemia in patients admitted with heart failurein ischemic heart disease. Methods: A cross sectional hospital based study for one year in eligible patients as ischemic heart disease in clinical heart failure. Blood parameters especially RBC indices, biochemical parameters including iron profile, serum ferritin, vitamin B12,folic acid were studied. Results: Out of 77 patients with mean age 67±7 years, anemia was common in female (63.6%) and elderly (66.2%). Other most common precipitants of heart failure in anemia were recent MI (<1 month) 55.8% and renal disease (55.8%), hypertension (49.4%) and diabetes (42.9%). Most common pattern of anemia according to RBC indices were normocytic (60.3%), hypochromic (79.3%), normocytic hypochromic anemia (48.2%) Iron deficiency was found in 25 (33.7%) of which absolute iron deficiency was in 12 (16.2%) and relative iron deficiency 13 ( 17.5%). Anemia of chronic disease were in 24 (32.4%), vitamin B12 deficiency 15 (20.2%) and Folic acid deficiency in 2 (2.7%). Conclusion: In heart failure with ischemic heart disease patient, anemia is common precipitating factor. Normocytic and hypochromic pattern are the commonest pattern. Iron deficiency is the commonest. Timely detection and management of iron deficiency may prevent heart failure even in ischemic heart disease.