ObjectiveIron deficiency (ID) has an established impact on outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; however, there is a lack of conclusive evidence in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We sought to clarify the prevalence and impact of ID in patients with HFpEF.MethodsA systematic search of Cohcrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL electronic databases was performed to identify relevant studies. Included studies defined HFpEF as heart failure with an ejection fraction ≥50%. We used a random-effects meta-analysis to determine the composite prevalence of ID in patients with HFpEF across the included studies. Other outcomes were assessed with qualitative analysis due to a paucity of studies with comparable outcome measures.ResultsThe prevalence of ID in the included studies was 59% (95% CI 52% to 65%). ID was associated with lower VO2 max in three of four studies reporting VO2 max as an outcome measure, lower functional status as determined by dyspnoea class or 6 min walk test in two of three studies, and worse health-related quality of life in both studies reporting on this outcome. Conversely, ID had no impact on death or hospitalisation in three of the four studies investigating this.ConclusionsID is highly prevalent in patients with HFpEF and is associated with worse exercise capacity and functional outcomes, but not hospitalisation or mortality. Our study establishes that ID may play an important a role in HFpEF.

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT00433966 (HORIZONS-AMI) and ACUITY (NCT00093158).

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Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), which is the combination of aspirin and a platelet P2Y12 inhibitor, is the cornerstone of secondary prevention in ischemic heart disease requiring intracoronary stenting. Although the efficacy of DAPT in the reduction of ischemic events has been well validated, the optimal duration, and indeed combination, of therapy is yet to be established. This area continues to attract debate with new developments in stent design and antiplatelet agents, as well as evolving clinical skill levels. Presently, clinical guidelines advocate the use of DAPT for 6-12 months following drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, but this can vary according to clinical indication, bleeding risk, and country of practice. Concerns have arisen that unnecessary prolongation of DAPT may be associated with increased bleeding events, as well as cost. Whether these guidelines effectively cater to current stenting techniques, devices, and antiplatelet agents remains to be determined. This review analyzes contemporary issues surrounding DAPT following DES implantation, as researchers continue to seek to strike the optimal balance between bleeding and thrombotic risk. Although reduced DAPT durations continue to show promising results in preventing ischemic events while also mitigating bleeding risk, ultimately the consideration of clinical presentation as well as medical and social history is paramount to guiding the optimal duration and cessation of DAPT.

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