Study Shows That Iron Therapy Can Reduce Need for Re-Hospitalisation for Heart Failure Patients

By
Zhi Hao
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It appears that heart failure patients may now be able to acquire a new lease of life:

One that does not involve frequent re-admission to the hospital.

And though some may prove sceptical about such notions, it seems that iron therapy has somehow seemed to really work the odds in these patients’ favour.

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Though no, it does not involve attaching a metallic heart to your body.

Study Shows That Iron Therapy Can Reduce Need for Re-Hospitalisation for Heart Failure Patients

According to TODAYonline, an International study on the effects of iron therapy, by the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) and partners in Europe, the Middle East and South America has shown promising results in the heart failure sector.

Apparently, there was a significant decrease in total heart failure hospitalisation, with treated patients a whopping 26 per cent less likely to return to the hospital (for heart failure) within a year. This is in comparison to those who were simply given a placebo.

However, mortality rates proved to be indifferent in this case.

Associate Professor David Sim has since stated that iron therapy could potentially grant affiliated patients a “better quality of life”, and reduce financial costs by “reducing their re-admission rates to the hospital”.

But even with the new findings, the risk of re-admission remains undeniably high.

As such, lifestyle modifications are still deemed to be necessary for affiliated patients.

“So to reduce the chance of re-admission, treatments have to be targeted at different clinical pathways such as other heart failure medications, (as well as) approaches including lifestyle modifications like fluid restriction and a low-salt diet,” Assoc Prof Sim said.

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Iron Therapy

Lest you’re unaware, iron therapy is a process wherein iron compounds are sent to the body’s vein via a needle.

It lasts around 10 to 15 minutes and is performable in any hospital ward.

Usually, patients would require around one to two doses a year, with possible top-up months or years down the line if their iron count runs low.

It’s also not exactly exorbitant as far as hospital rates are concerned. Each vial costs slightly over S$100 before subsidy.

Heart Failure

According to reports, around 60 per cent of heart failure patients here are iron-deficient.

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Iron-deficient heart failure patients have also been shown to be 30 to 40 per cent more likely to return to the hospital within half a year.

They are also deemed to face a larger risk of death.

Should the aforementioned study prove correct, it could mean an entirely new lease of life for these patients.

Both financial and freedom wise.

Featured Image: Hussein Kassir / Shutterstock.com

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]