Abstract
Background: Hypochromic red blood cells are defined as Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), which is a simple index to assess body iron deficiency, ≤ 320 g/L. Our study was aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of MCHC with mortality and re-hospitalization rates in patients with acute heart failure.
Methods and results: The study was conducted on 201 patients with acute heart failure. These patients will be divided into 2 groups: The group with MCHC decrease (MCHC ≤ 320 g/L) and the group without MCHC decrease (MCHC > 320 g/L) based on the value of MCHC index quantified within 24 hours after hospitalization. The patients were monitored for 6 months after being discharged from hospital. The Kaplan-Meier Curve showed that the mortality and re-hospitalization rates in the group with MCHC decrease were significantly higher than those in the group without MCHC decrease (log rank p <0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis illustrated that decreased MCHC (HR: 1,040 95% CI 1.022 – 1,059) was an independent prognostic factor of mortality and re-hospitalization within 6 months in patients with acute heart failure.
Conclution: MCHC is an independent prognostic factor of mortality and re-hospitalization in patients with acute heart failure.