Conclusions All currently available intravenous iron preparations appear to be safe and effective , but ferric carboxymaltose seems to provide a better and quicker correction of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in iron-deficient patients
Background Iron deficiency is very common in a number of medical conditions .
Ferric carboxymaltose is a new stable iron preparation that can be administered in single infusions over short periods of time .
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) regarding the efficacy and safety of the novel complex compared with other iron formulations .
In addition , the feasibility of a network meta- analysis for indirect comparisons was investigated .
Intravenous iron reduces NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide in anemic patients with chronic heart failure and renal insufficiency.
OBJECTIVES Our objective was to evaluate in a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled study possible modifications in NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP ) and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) levels together with clinical and functional parameters , in a group of anemic patients with chronic heart failure ( CHF ) and chronic renal failure ( CRF ) receiving intravenous iron therapy , without recombinant human erythropoietin ( rhEPO ) , versus placebo . BACKGROUND Chronic heart failure and CRF associated with absolute or relative iron deficiency anemia is a common problem . This situation is linked with a variable inflammatory status . Both NT-proBNP and CRP are recognized markers for left ventricular dysfunction and inflammatory status , respectively . In this double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled study , modifications in NT-proBNP and CRP level and clinical and functional parameters , in anemic patients with CHF and CRF receiving intravenous iron therapy , without rhEPO , versus placebo were evaluated . METHODS Forty patients with hemoglobin ( Hb ) < 12.5 g/dl , transferrin saturation < 20 % , ferritin < 100 ng/ml , creatinine clearance ( CrCl ) < 90 ml/min , and left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) < or = 35 % were r and omized into 2 groups ( n = 20 for each ) . For 5 weeks , group A received isotonic saline solution and group B received iron sucrose complex , 200 mg weekly . Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Question naire ( MLHFQ ) and 6-min walk ( 6MW ) test were performed . NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide and CRP were evaluated throughout the study . No patients received erythroprotein any time . RESULTS After 6 months follow-up , group B showed better hematology values and CrCl ( p < 0.01 ) and lower NT-proBNP ( 117.5 + /- 87.4 pg/ml vs. 450.9 + /- 248.8 pg/ml , p < 0.01 ) and CRP ( 2.3 + /- 0.8 mg/l vs. 6.5 + /- 3.7 mg/l , p < 0.01 ) . There was a correlation initially ( p < 0.01 ) between Hb and NT-proBNP ( group A : r = -0.94 and group B : r = -0.81 ) and after 6 months only in group A : r = -0.80 . Similar correlations were observed with Hb and CRP . Left ventricular ejection fraction percentage ( 35.7 + /- 4.7 vs. 28.8 + /- 2.4 ) , MLHFQ score , and 6MW test were all improved in group B ( p < 0.01 ) . Additionally , group B had fewer hospitalizations : 0 of 20 versus group A , 5 of 20 ( p < 0.01 ; relative risk = 2.33 ) . CONCLUSIONS Intravenous iron therapy without rhEPO substantially reduced NT-proBNP and inflammatory status in anemic patients with CHF and moderate CRF . This situation was associated with an improvement in LVEF , NYHA functional class , exercise capacity , renal function , and better quality of life
Conclusions All currently available intravenous iron preparations appear to be safe and effective , but ferric carboxymaltose seems to provide a better and quicker correction of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in iron-deficient patients
Background Iron deficiency is very common in a number of medical conditions .
Ferric carboxymaltose is a new stable iron preparation that can be administered in single infusions over short periods of time .
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) regarding the efficacy and safety of the novel complex compared with other iron formulations .
In addition , the feasibility of a network meta- analysis for indirect comparisons was investigated .