Journal Article

Iron deficiency as therapeutic target in heart failure: a translational approach

Briasoulis Alexandros, Papadopoulos Christodoulos, Fragakis Nikolaos, Mouselimis Dimitrios, Bakogiannis Constantinos, Tsarouchas Anastasios, Papageorgiou Nikolaos, Vassilikos Vassilios

2020

Overview

Heart failure (HF) is a potentially debilitating condition, with a prognosis comparable to many forms of cancer. It is often complicated by anemia and iron deficiency (ID), which have been shown to even further harm patients’ functional status and hospitalization risk. Iron is a cellular micronutrient that is essential for oxygen uptake and transportation, as well as mitochondrial energy production. Iron is crucially involved in electrochemical stability, maintenance of structure, and contractility of cardiomyocytes. There is mounting evidence that ID indeed hampers the homeostasis of these properties. Animal model and stem cell research has verified these findings on the cellular level, while clinical trials that treat ID in HF patients have shown promising results in improving real patient outcomes, as electromechanically compromised cardiomyocytes translate to HF exacerbations and arrhythmias in patients. In this article, we review our current knowledge on the role of iron in cardiac muscle cells, the contribution of ID to anemia and HF pathophysiology and the capacity of IV iron therapy to ameliorate the patients’ arrhythmogenic profile, quality of life, and prognosis.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Anemia / Animal models / Cardiac muscle / Cardiomyocytes / Clinical trials / Congestive heart failure / Heart failure / Homeostasis / Iron / Iron deficiency / Mitochondria / Muscle contraction / Nutrient deficiency / Prognosis / Quality of life / Stem cells / Therapeutic applications