Red cell distribution width predicts short- and long-term outcomes of acute congestive heart failure more effectively than hemoglobin

The present study compared short- and long-term prognostic values of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with those of hemoglobin (Hgb) among patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF) in a cardiac care unit. The cross-sectional study examined data from 521 patients with acute CHF who were admitted to a cardiac care unit and followed up for 24 months (median). Mean Hgb levels in patients who succumbed (DIH) or remained alive (AIH) were 11.0 +/- 1.8 and 11.8 +/- 2.6 g/l (P>0.05), respectively. Median values of RDW were 16.2% and 14.4%, respectively (P<0.0001). During the 24-month follow-up, mean levels of Hgb in groups with and without endpoints were 11.4 +/- 2.5 and 12.5 +/- 2.4 g/dl (P<0.0001), respectively. Median RDW values were 14.9 and 13.8%, respectively (P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with RDW (P=0.044), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV (P=0.0037), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P=0.042) and C-reactive protein (P=0.0044), but not with Hgb (P=0.10). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model selected RDW [hazard ratio (HR), 2.19; P<0.0001], left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.81, P=0.0016), age (10-year increase; HR 1.19, P=0.0017) and NYHA functional classes III/IV (HR 1.52, P=0.0029) as independent predictors of long-term outcomes after adjustment, but not Hgb (HR 1.01, P=0.86). Higher RDW values in acute CHF patients at admission were associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes and RDW values were more prognostically relevant than Hgb levels.