Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2017-2-27
Red blood cell distribution width is a survival predictor beyond anemia and Nt-ProBNP in stable optimally medicated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction outpatients
BACKGROUND: RDW is an automatic value obtained with the blood count, and
represents the erythrocytes dimension variation.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in optimally medicated outpatients with heart failure
with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) the RDW prognostic value regarding survival in
a multivariable model including anemia and Nt-ProBNP.
METHODS: 233 consecutive outpatients, LVEF <40%, clinically stable were
followed-up for 3-years in an HF Unit. End-point was all-cause death. The RDW categorized
according to the tertiles (T1 = <13.9; T2 14-15.2; T3> = 15.3). Anemia classified
according to the WHO criteria. Cox survival model adjusted for clinical profile, optimal
therapeutic, renal function, Nt-ProBNP, etiology, atrial fibrillation, and anemia.
RESULTS: (1) The 3-years death rate was 33.5%, and increased with the RDW
tertiles (17.3%; 25%; 61.1%; p < 0.001). (2) The ROC curve for death
associated with RDW (AUC 0.73; p < 0.001); (3) The adjusted death risk
increased with the tertiles (Hazard-ratio ‘[HR] = 1.61; IC 95% 1.09–2.39;
p = 0.017). RDW> = 15.3 had greater adjusted death risk than T1
(HR = 2.18; 95% CI 0.99–4.8; p = 0.05) and T1+T2 (HR = 1.54; 95% CI
1.13–2.09; p = 0.006).
CONCLUSION: RDW determined in optimally medicated outpatients with HFrEF,
during dry-state, is a strong, cheap, and independent predictor of long-term survival.
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