Iron Use in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Rapid Systematic Review

Iron deficiency is widespread in patients with cardiovascular disease. In recent years, the correction of iron deficiency in patients with chronic heart failure has been actively studied to improve the prognosis and course of the disease. Currently, there are not many studies on the use of iron preparations in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The aim of our review was to explore the possibility of using parenteral iron preparations in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension to improve symptoms and prognosis. The final analysis included 5 publications. According to the results of the presented studies, after the use of iron preparations, laboratory data characterizing iron deficiency were normalized in all patients, exercise tolerance increased, and the quality of life improved. At the same time, according to the indicators of instrumental studies, the parameters were without dynamics, catheterization of the right heart also showed no effect on hemodynamic criteria. In all studies, iron preparations were well tolerated, no serious side effects were detected, which confirms the possibility of widespread use of drugs of this group. Timely diagnosis and treatment of anemia and latent iron deficiency in patients with pulmonary hypertension prevent disease progression. However, at present, in real clinical practice, parenteral iron preparations are rarely used in patients with latent iron deficiency, as a result of which active outreach among practitioners is necessary in order to expand the use of this type of treatment.