STAMINA-HFP (study of anemia in a heart failure population) registry: rationale, design, and patient characteristics

Effect of Darbepoetin Alfa on Exercise Tolerance in Anemic Patients With Symptomatic Chronic Heart Failure

“…A trend toward increased exercise time but not peak VO 2 Anemia is recognized as a common comorbidity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) (1)(2)(3). Initial data from a recent, large observational study of patients with CHF attending cardiology clinics showed that 33% had a hemoglobin concentration Ͻ12.0 g/dl (4). Several studies have shown that anemia in patients with CHF is associated with an increase in left ventricular mass (2), a See page 763 greater incidence of rehospitalization (5), and higher mortality (2,(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Anemia as a risk factor and therapeutic target in heart failure

“…Although limited by its retrospective design, this study suggests that mechanisms other than HF may be responsible for anemia in a significant proportion of HF patients. A prospective ongoing study including both specialty and community sites, the Study of Anemia in a Heart Failure Population (STAMINA-HFP) registry, is evaluating the prevalence, etiologies, and mechanisms of anemia in a broad population of HF patients (15).…”

“…Such experience must serve as a cautionary tale and, therefore, it is crucial that appropriate caution be exercised until data from prospective, blinded, controlled trials of adequate size are available. Many such studies are currently being planned or are underway, including prospective studies addressing the prevalence and incidence of anemia in HF populations (15), the mechanisms of anemia in HF, and the effect of anemia treatment on quality of life, exercise tolerance, morbidity, mortality, and costs. Given the history of drug development in HF, a mixture of optimism and caution would appear to be the appropriate attitude towards anemia therapy in HF at present.…”